In a move poised to revolutionize Liberia’s technological landscape, the government of Liberia is considering the introduction of Starlink satellite Internet service, developed by SpaceX.
This follows a recent virtual discussion between President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. and Elon Musk, the visionary CEO of SpaceX.
During their conversation, both leaders underscored the transformative potential of advanced technology, particularly in enhancing access to critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and economic development in rural areas of Liberia.
Recognizing the potential impact, President Boakai extended an invitation for Musk and his team to visit Liberia, signifying a commitment to ongoing dialogue and potential collaboration.
Concurrently, Liberia is undergoing significant reforms in its telecommunications sector.
“New regulations are being introduced to support fintech companies, aiming to foster innovation and competition in a market historically dominated by a few major players. These reforms are designed to level the playing field, enabling smaller startups to enter and thrive in the mobile and Internet services arena,” reports indicates.
The regulatory shift is expected to empower Liberian entrepreneurs, particularly those developing mobile financial solutions, by providing fair access to essential telecom resources. This marks a pivotal moment in Liberia’s tech evolution, coinciding with Musk’s interest in expanding Starlink across Africa.
Together, these developments promise a dynamic transformation in Liberia’s tech and telecom landscape, paving the way for broader connectivity and innovative services. The potential introduction of Starlink, alongside progressive regulatory changes, heralds a new era of technological advancement and economic opportunity for Liberia.
As of mid-2024, Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, has actively been expanding its presence across Africa. The service is already live in several African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Benin, and Eswatini. Starlink aims to further extend its reach to additional countries by the end of 2024. Upcoming launches are planned for Gambia, Lesotho, Senegal, Tanzania, Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe, among others.
This expansion aligns with Starlink’s goal to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to underserved regions, particularly in rural areas where traditional broadband services are lacking.
The culture of an organization, the way that things are done, will develop whether there’s intention or not. By defining what it should be, you can influence the behavior. If you don’t define it, it’ll develop organically and you might not like the results.
Culture is “the way we do things around here.” When you join a new team, you will quickly be humbled. Everybody knows everybody, everyone has a circle – or not. They know the bosses’ good and bad times -read, when to ask for favors and when not to. There’s clearly a formula on how business runs, and everybody knows it, except you. The newbie. Always saying hi to those that prefer quiet mornings, inviting to lunch the project manager that eats sandwiches at his desk, or running every step of your project by your supervisor who really prefers to just oversee and give feedback. Or, the opposite- when you meet the micromanager. Most times, teams have held on to their beliefs, rituals and behaviors for far too long, and will immediately sideline anyone who dares question “the way of doing things.”
All these things, added together, really define how teams work. And, ultimately, decide whether a team will build something great, or will jeopardize the productivity of an organization. In this article, we’ll explore the profound impact of startup culture on team dynamics and why getting it right can be the difference between success and failure.
So what then, is Culture, and Why is it so Important?
Culture isn’t just about Ping-Pong tables, free snacks and beer Fridays; it’s the underlying DNA that shapes how a team works together, innovates, and ultimately thrives. A strong culture provides a shared sense of purpose and identity, aligns team members around common goals, and fosters trust, collaboration, and resilience.
With the right culture within an organization, team members feel aligned, valued and empowered to put their best foot forward. This ultimately manifests into productivity, as there is a common and shared sense of purpose. No one is sidelined, there is no deadweight on the team, or walking on eggshells when it’s time to put a point across. And, it’s not just about productivity.
When you think of startups, the thought of challenges and tough days surely must cross your mind. The beauty of a strong and positive culture is that it carries a startup –and really any organization, through the dark days. When the product launch is a flop, or the expected funding didn’t pan out. Delayed salaries and the dreaded PR disasters that are a daily dose for most startups. A trusting, aligned, resilient and optimistic team- all *aspects* cultivated by a positive organizational culture will more often than not be willing and able to endure the tough times without backing out, cutting corners or sabotaging the organization.
Conversely, a toxic or dysfunctional culture can erode morale, hinder productivity, and drive talented team members away, ultimately spelling doom for the startup.
Cultivating a Positive Startup Culture:
Building a positive startup culture requires intentional effort and a commitment from leadership to prioritize values, behaviors, and norms that support the company’s mission and vision. Elements that define a positive culture are many. Today we discuss 3 key elements of a positive startup culture, and how Core values are the foundation on which a culture is built.
1. Aligning with the core values of your organization.
Core values are the foundation on which a culture is built. By definition, core values are “ideals you believe that determine your behavior and decisions.” They do not change with every turn or dynamics of the economy, society or organizational disruption. The point of values and mission in an organization is to define a pathway and create a guide for the team to follow in the process of executing the set goals.
When hiring, it is important to look out for people who align with your core values. If, for instance, your core value as a startup is boldness, it is crucial to be on the lookout for hires that share this core value. This means people who are not afraid of leaping on new ideas, even without full knowledge. People who don’t wait for conditions to align to act. People that are ready to try, fail and then try again.
When your core value is perseverance, team members that don’t back out when the going gets tough, that stay objective as opposed to emotional or panicked in less than favorable circumstances, are your best bet. As a startup, it is crucial to realize that a hire can have the right skills and be the best on the job, but when their core values are misaligned with yours, any attempt to “be on the same page” or “share a culture” will be futile.
Every organization explicitly outlines their mission, vision and values on their websites and walls, but it is just that- words. They do not integrate their values into their daily operations- hiring, crisis management, milestone conversations.
Deciding what values will help you achieve your goals, then integrating them in your day to day running will set a good foundation for a positive culture, even for people that join in later on, or through the dynamics that are bound to happen.
2. Empowerment and Ownership.
An empowered team isn’t just an asset; they’re the heart and soul of a productive workforce. When individuals feel empowered to take ownership of their work, supported to innovate, and encouraged to voice their ideas, they not only thrive personally, they also become catalysts for positive change and contribute to a vibrant and collaborative environment where creativity, productivity and success becomes a collective journey. And that is exactly what the goal of a positive culture should be – To be on a collective journey.
Autonomy is one of the guaranteed ways to empower a team. The degree to which a team or individual has freedom to make their own decisions and take actions independently, without excessive external control or micromanagement is consistent with the level of responsibility and ownership they have towards their work. Autonomy can manifest in various forms, such as setting their own schedules, choosing how to approach tasks, making decisions about resource allocation, and having input into strategic planning and goal-setting –as long as the goal is met. When individuals have a sense of control over their work and are trusted to make decisions, they tend to feel more invested in their jobs and more motivated to perform at their best.
Empowering employees, however, goes beyond simply granting them autonomy; it is about unleashing their full potential to drive innovation, creativity, and productivity.
Implementing your team’s good ideas and giving them credit for it, ensuring employee satisfaction and engagement in brainstorming sessions, promoting and supporting their personal growth and development can create a culture where individuals thrive and contribute to the collective success of the company.
3. Diversity and Inclusion.
If you are a startup founder, I hate to break it to you, diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords that corporates use to sound fancy. They are fundamental principles that drive innovation, creativity, and ultimately, the success of the company. When you talk of a positive organizational culture, diversity and inclusion must be among your to-do.
Diversity by definition is “the presence of a variety of different demographic and cultural characteristics within a group.” Most startup founders will be tempted to include their sister, a cousin, someone that looks like them, or with similar characters in the team. When it’s one or two, that might be okay. But at the very beginning stages of a startup, pulling all or most of your team members from your closest circle is as close to sabotage as you can get. Not only are boundaries shaky and blurred, but whenever a new team member from outside your circle or different from the team joins, they immediately are the outsider.
Diversity includes both visible differences, such as physical appearance, as well as invisible differences, such as cognitive styles, personality traits, and life experiences.
Embracing diversity means recognizing and valuing the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions that individuals from diverse backgrounds bring to the table. It involves creating an environment where people feel respected, included, and empowered to be their authentic selves, regardless of their differences.
Inclusion on the other hand, means appreciating and empowering all team members to achieve the set goals, regardless of their differences in identity and background. This means actively having inclusive practices like training and education, implementation of ideas from different team members and equity in terms of pay.
Basically, diversity and inclusion are about creating environments where individuals from all backgrounds feel welcomed, respected, and valued, and where their unique perspectives and contributions are recognized and celebrated.
In the pulsating heart of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where innovation meets opportunity, Africa stands at the forefront of technological advancement. And in the midst of all the exciting changes happening, although not talked about as much, women have fast risen to the call of technology and become bold trailblazers who have broken through barriers, challenged norms, and transformed the tech scene in Africa.
From coding geniuses to visionary entrepreneurs, these pioneers have not only harnessed the power of technology to change lives but have also become beacons of inspiration and hope for generations of women and young girls to come.
In this article, we honor the stories of 5 remarkable African women whose indomitable spirit, ingenuity, and vision have not only transformed the tech industry but have also left an indelible mark on the very essence of African innovation.
Naadiya Moosajee
Founder of Women in Engineering (WomEng), an organization dedicated to nurturing the talents of girls and women in engineering and technology, Moosajee is best known for her commitment to gender parity, spearheading a transformative movement to bridge the gender gap.
In 2014, Forbes recognized her as one of Africa’s Top 20 Young Power Women in Africa, while the Government of China honored her at the BRICS Summit for her outstanding contributions to STEM education for African girls. Passionate about fostering STEM education and gender equality, Moosajee is committed to shaping prosperous and equitable societies in emerging economies.
Alongside Hema Vallabh, she co-founded WomHub, further expanding their impact on the industry.
According to Moosajee, “Engineers design our world and our society, and if we don’t have women at the design table, we exclude 50% of the population.”
Betelhem Dessie
“As a young woman, coding made me feel independent and free, and that’s something I want to give other people.”
At the age of 7, Dessie fell in love with computers. And by the tender age of 20, this visionary Ethiopian technologist had six software programs patented in her name, and was involved in the development of the world-famous Sophia the robot. Dessie founded iCog-Anyone Can Code at the age of 24, an Ethiopian-based social enterprise that offers kids and youth an opportunity at a future through coding.
Through iCog, the futures of over 30,000 youths have been positively impacted, making them more employable and skilled for entrepreneurship.
Maya Horgan Famodu
Maya believes that if you want to support women, you put them in positions to do it themselves. And she lives by her words, having founded Ingressive capital and Ingressive for Good, one a venture capital thatsupports early-stage African tech startups, and the other a nonprofit providing micro-scholarships, technical skills training and talent placement to African tech talents in need, respectively.
Being the youngest Black woman to launch a tech fund, Maya Horgan has been honored by Forbes before in their “Under 30 Technology” list, in 2018.
Mary Mwangi
Mary Mwangi knows too well that being a pioneer, and especially in the tech space, is no bed of roses.
Founder and CEO of Data Integrated, this Kenyan powerhouse is a pioneer in the fintech logistics space in Africa, with her company leveraging on tech to offer financial solutions to African SMEs, with a greater focus on Kenya’s public transport system.
Being a pioneer, the challenges are there, she admits, but insists that “You can do it. You have to get up.”
Charity Wanjiku
Charity Wanjiku describes herself as a shining star and a work-in-progress all at the same time. And a shining star she is indeed, having made patented solar panels and powered the most rural parts of Kenya before solar tiles were a thing. Recognized by both Forbes and the World Economic Forum as a top woman in tech globally, Charity is the founder Strauss Energy Ltd, an off-grid solar energy startup based in Nairobi, Kenya. She lights up the lives of Kenyans in rural areas – Literally.
The uniqueness of Strauss’ solar systems lies in their special meters that can feed unused electricity back to the national grid, generating income for households.
She is passionate about breaking STEM barriers for women and girls, as in her words, “It’s important that girls are at the forefront of this digital age, because nobody will hire you if you do not have tech skills.”
African startup funding has seen a significant fall from the highs of 2021 and 2022, with investments in the startup scene in Africa dropping by around 27% in 2023
Would you start a startup if there was no funding for it? African startup funding has seen a significant fall from the highs of 2021 and 2022, with investments in the startup scene in Africa in terms of funding dropping by around 27% in 2023, according to Disrupt Africa’s African Tech Startups Funding Report. The number of investors during this time, according to the same report fell by half.
Does this inform the direction that startups might take in the future, or is it an indicator that starting a startup might not be a worthy cause in 2024? In the recent live podcast hosted by Founders Factory Africa on the good and bad of funding, experts in the startup ecosystem in Nairobi came together to discuss the importance of choosing the right capital in 2024, and how to navigate the tight belt fastened by investors.
In the panel for the live podcast episode were Rology CFO Jason Musyoka; Bruce Nsereko-Lule, co-founder and general partner at Seedstars; and June Odongo, founder and CEO of Senga Technologies.
One thing from the conversation was clear; in the fight for a win, and with the current lack of sufficient funding, startup founders might feel the need to scramble for every funding opportunity that presents itself, in the process hurting their business and perhaps themselves. Therefore despite these funding challenges, the panelists unanimously agreed that it’s still critical for startups to be reasonable and careful in choosing the investors they approach for funding.
So, what are these critical play points to be addressed in the race for funding, and how to understand good and bad funding?
Shifting investor expectations
In the best way to approach investors in these tight times, the panelists highlighted that times have changed in the ecosystem, and investors are now prioritizing fundamentals and sustainability over pure potential, advising that founders should be aware of investors’ shifting priorities and adapt their fundraising strategies accordingly. This requires founders to have a clear roadmap with achievable milestones (pilot, funding rounds) and contingency plans.
“As investors, we’re looking for a plan but you also need to model in variation,” says Nsero- Luke. “Aim to go with the plan but let’s model it if we need to spend a little bit more, for example.”
Additionally, investors are emphasizing due diligence and seeking ventures with strong fundamentals and realistic growth plans, moving away from solely chasing high-growth potential. That makes it important that they do everything they can to impress in the due diligence process.
“From an investor perspective, it’s important that you do your due diligence very well whilst you’re investing in a company so that, when you’re putting in the money, you don’t get unexpected surprises,” he adds.
Choosing the right investor
Even within this shifting environment, the panelists agree that it’s still important for startup founders to be discerning in the investors they approach for funding. More particularly, they say, founders must consider whether choosing local investors makes more sense than international ones. While international investors might have deeper pockets, local investors often have a greater contextual understanding of local environments and may therefore be better positioned to guide founders to success.
“The beauty about local investors is that we understand context,” says Musyoka. “And not just context but we also have networks. There are doors that the senior-level executives and CEOs that they introduce you to can open for you or businesses that they can enable for you that they can enable for that you wouldn’t be able to open for yourself.”
Another strategic considerations when choosing which investors to approach is your business goals. Founders should define their business goals (lifestyle vs. scaling) and align their investment strategy accordingly, potentially utilizing local angel investors and then seeking international capital for further growth.
Even with these considerations in mind, it’s still important that founders pay attention to the investment offers in front of them. “If you’ve got two competing term sheets in front of you, always go for the one that offers the least dilution,” says Musyoka, who has a unique perspective as an investor turned operator. “It gives you flexibility and allows you to operate in your known business framework.” That may mean accepting a smaller investment but, Musyoka believes that this isn’t always a bad thing.
“A small amount is not necessarily bad for you,” he says. “You just have to recalibrate and work with what you have.”
According to Odongo, getting to the right investor also means knowing when to pause, when to move and when to stop, as Senga has had to do a couple of times over the past few years.
“At one point, we were going to raise money when we had validated our idea and it was growing well. Then we got a lot of competition that was emulating some of what we were doing and they were raising tones of money, so I decided not to raise because it was clear to me that things were not going to turn out well. So we retreated and pivoted to a new niche.”
Planning for an exit (or not)
In the long run, more and more startups taking this approach may also change how we think about exits on the continent.
“Exit opportunities exist in Africa,” says Nsereko-Lule. “We have local exchanges, we have big corporations, etc. The effective exit opportunities exist here, but the types of companies that local players want to buy are very different to the ones internationals want to buy.”
“As we contextualize venture capital to the local market, it will help,” he adds. “Then we can build businesses where founders have the necessary skill sets and build businesses capable of achieving exits on the continent.”
In conclusion, depending on how a founder goes about it, funding can be one of two; a blessing or a bad thing for a startup. Even with the funding drought that the African startup system is facing, it is important for a startup to be wisely selective with choosing the right investor, lest they risk losing their soul and business in the fight.
In April 2025, OpenAI unveiled its most advanced reasoning model to date: o3. This release marks a significant leap in artificial intelligence, combining language understanding with visual reasoning andcomplex problem-solving capabilities. Designed to handle tasks ranging from coding and mathematics to image analysis and web browsing, o3 sets a new standard for AI performance and accessibility.
What Is OpenAI o3?
A New Era in AI Reasoning
OpenAI o3 is the latest advancement in large language models (LLMs), designed to enhance complex reasoning tasks across various domains. As the successor to the o1 model, o3 introduces significant improvements in logical reasoning, coding, mathematics, and scientific analysis. Released on April 16, 2025, o3 represents a leap forward in AI capabilities, offering more nuanced and accurate responses to intricate queries.
Key Features and Capabilities
OpenAI o3 distinguishes itself through several innovative features:
∙ Enhanced Reasoning: Utilizes a “private chain of thought” mechanism, allowing the model to internally deliberate before generating responses, leading to more coherent and logically sound outputs. ∙ Deliberative Alignment: Incorporates a safety technique that enables the model to assess the safety implications of prompts, improving its ability to handle sensitive or potentially harmful content responsibly.
∙ Multimodal Processing: Capable of interpreting and reasoning with visual inputs, such as images and sketches, expanding its applicability beyond text-based tasks.
∙ Benchmark Performance: Achieved impressive scores on various benchmarks, including 96.7%on the AIME mathematics competition and 71.7% on SWE-bench, indicating superior performance inmathematical and programming tasks.
Model Variants
The o3 model family includes several variants to cater to different user needs:
∙ o3: The full-scale model offering maximum capabilities, suitable for tasks requiring extensive reasoning and computational resources.
∙ o3-mini: A scaled-down version optimized for performance and cost-efficiency, available inthree reasoning effort levels—low, medium, and high—to balance accuracy and speed. ures make o3-mini a powerful tool for building sophisticated AI applications across various industries.
How to Use OpenAI o3
Utilizing o3 in ChatGPT
Subscribers to ChatGPT’s Plus, Pro, and Team plans can select the o3 model within the ChatGPT interface. Once selected, users can input queries as they normally would, with the o3 model providing enhancedreasoning capabilities and more accurate responses, especially for complex tasks.OpenAI said the newsystems will be available starting Wednesday to anyone who subscribes to the ChatGPT Plus ($20per month) or ChatGPT Pro ($200 per month) services, which provide access to all of the company’s latest tools.
o3 and o4-mini are also available to developers via the Chat Completions API and Responses API (some developers will need to verify their organization) (opens in new window) to access these models).The o3model is available through the API for developers with initial pricing of $10 per million input tokens and$40 per million output tokens.
Implementing o3 via API with CometAPI
For developers and organizations, o3-mini is available via CometAPI’s o3 API.
CometAPI provides access to over 500 AI models, including open-source and specialized multimodal models for chat, images, code, and more. With it, access to leading AI tools like Claude, OpenAI, Deepseek, and Gemini is available through a single, unified subscription.You can use the API in CometAPI to create music and artwork, generate videos, and build your own workflows.
o3 API (model name :o3/ o3-2025-04-16) Pricing in CometAPI，20% off the official price:
∙ Input Tokens: $8 / M tokens
∙ Output Tokens: $32/ M tokens
Why OpenAI o3 Matters
Advancements in AI Capabilities
OpenAI o3 represents a significant advancement in AI technology, particularly in its ability to handle complex reasoning tasks. By simulating a chain of thought and incorporating deliberative alignment, it offers more reliable and contextually appropriate responses, making it a valuable asset for applications requiring high-level cognitive functions.
Multimodal Capabilities
o3’s ability to process and reason with both text and images opens up a range of applications:
∙ Image Analysis: Understands and interprets visual inputs like sketches and diagrams. ∙ Web Browsing: Can autonomously search the web to gather information, enhancing its responses.
∙ File Interpretation: Capable of analyzing and extracting information from various file types . Enhanced Tools Integration
o3 can autonomously utilize various tools within ChatGPT:
∙ Python: Executes code to solve complex problems.
∙ Image Generation: Creates visual content based on textual descriptions.
∙ Data Analysis: Processes and interprets data files, providing insights and summaries. These integrations make o3 a versatile tool for professionals across fields such as software development, data science, and education.
Commitment to Safety
Despite concerns about the pace of AI development and safety protocols, OpenAI has implemented measures like deliberative alignment to ensure responsible use of o3. This approach allows the model to assess the safety implications of prompts, reducing the risk of generating harmful or inappropriate content.
Conclusion
OpenAI’s o3 model represents a significant advancement in artificial intelligence, offering enhanced reasoning capabilities, multimodal processing, and practical integrations for a wide range of applications. Its performance on various benchmarks underscores its potential to assist professionals in complex tasks, making it a valuable tool in the evolving AI landscape.
Modern companies, particularly those with remote operations or a broad geographic presence, have grown to depend on satellite communications almost completely. Businesses in today’s linked world depend mostly on quick and dependable communication solutions to keep ahead of the competition.
The development of satellite communications has transformed companies’ operations and given them unmatched connections even in faraway locations. Here are reasons why your business needs satellite communications.
Connectivity in Remote Areas
Even in places where terrestrial communication networks are few or nonexistent, satellite communications give companies the means to remain in touch with their staff and clients. Satellite communication systems can provide continuous connectivity that lets companies running remote operations, such as mines, oil rigs, and offshore facilities, have real-time communication and data exchange. This increases company operating effectiveness and enables them to stay ahead.
You can get Starlink for business, which offers high-speed internet access via satellite with global coverage. With Starlink, your business can ensure reliable connectivity in even the most remote locations.
Efficiency
Smartphones enable crucial business decisions on the go, remote working in distant locations and on the seas, and quick access to suppliers, colleagues, and consumers. However, not all parts of the world, especially in the West, provide a consistent phone signal, rendering network-based mobiles worthless at crucial moments and inaccessible far from established areas.
Unlike mobile networks, satellite communication equipment runs independently, so even in the case of a weak or nonexistent signal, or on a ship at sea, essential business calls can still be completed.
Data packets and GPS tracking allow field workers to check and send emails, livestream videos, or make reports to the head office, ensuring that inadequate or nonexistent signals won’t compromise their work.
Safety
Monitoring your personnel or essential items overseas is crucial, as some areas of the globe are less safe than others. Real-time, highly accurate GPS monitoring provided by satellite communication allows you to locate colleagues or vehicles at any moment and notify the authorities should proof of anything unpleasant arise.
Perfectly functioning everywhere, satellite communication also offers a range of reassuring features that enable colleagues to keep in touch: two-way messaging, SOS warnings, and thorough reports. People who go on business trips abroad will always value the peace of mind from knowing their coworkers are safe.
Contingency Planning
In business, being ready for any possibility might help to avoid major disturbances and costly losses. Downtime still happens even in the safest nations with dependable mobile networks. Periodically occurring technical issues or equipment breakdowns cause network interruptions as well.
Even in cases of terrorism, extreme weather, or civil disturbance, satellite phones, which do not depend on terrestrial networks, are practically assured to remain accessible. Many companies integrate satellite communication options in their contingency planning to prevent the financial and reputation damage from mobile network failure.
Advertise Your Business
There may be some organic marketing chances at satellite locations. They may turn into a location where clients first engage with your company. The kiosks at rail and airport stations are one instance where that is visible.
To pick up their bags or find a transport to their hotel, passengers getting off an aircraft or train typically pass by several establishments. They have a good possibility of noticing the businesses they are passing.
Retailers and eateries may advertise with one of these strategically positioned kiosks or satellite locations. An airport satellite location can offer some organic brand introduction if your company is in the hospitality industry and benefits from out-of-town traffic.
Endnote
Businesses operating in rural and remote areas where regular cell phone coverage is erratic must invest in satellite communication. You can be confident that your teams will work effectively and communicate without any disruptions when you use satellite-backed solutions.
Lori Systems, the Nairobi-based digital freight platform, has raised $2 million in a bridge round at a significantly reduced $5 million valuation, a steep drop from its 2020 peak valuation of $120 million.
Led by Delta40, with participation from Future Africa, FP Capital, and others, the new funding brings Lori’s total raised capital to over $46 million—a testament to both the company’s past promise and the current climate in African tech.
The new round reflects the broader recalibration happening across the African startup scene, where sky-high valuations are giving way to leaner, sustainability-focused operations.
Founded in 2016, Lori Systems burst onto the scene with a vision to digitize and optimize cargo transportation across Africa. Its platform connects large cargo owners to vetted transporters, reducing costs and increasing efficiency through automation, analytics, and real-time tracking.
The solution addresses a massive need: in many African countries, logistics costs can exceed 70% of a product’s retail price. By streamlining the freight experience, Lori once claimed it could cut costs by 20-30% for clients—many of whom include FMCGs, agriculture exporters, and oil & gas companies.
💡 From Hype to Headwinds
At its peak, Lori Systems operated in Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria and raised capital from top investors including Google, Imperial Logistics, CRE Venture Capital, and IFC and it won TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield Africa and was named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer. But despite these wins, Lori also faced slower-than-expected market adoption in some regions, high operational costs in low-margin transport markets and increasing competition from local and global logistics tech startups.
With this new bridge round, insiders say Lori Systems is realigning its priorities—from hypergrowth to sustainable operations.
“This isn’t the end. It’s a recalibration,” said a source familiar with the deal. “Lori still has strong tech and market insights—it now needs to prove it can operate profitably in a tough environment.”
With AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) gaining momentum, the long-term need for smarter logistics solutions remains urgent. Lori still has a shot at building the digital rails of intra-African trade, but now it must do so with discipline, operational grit, and financial focus.
While the valuation dip is significant, the fact that Lori continues to attract top-tier investors suggests there’s still faith in its vision—and a belief that African logistics tech is too big to ignore.
The journey of Lori Systems is a mirror of Africa’s tech sector—brilliant, bold, and now maturing. What matters next is not just who can raise, but who can weather the storm and execute. Lori Systems may no longer be the poster child of African startup hype, but it could still emerge as one of the continent’s most valuable logistics infrastructure builders—if it plays the long game right.
NCBA Bank and the Dentsu School of Influence (DSOI) have launched a powerful initiative to equip 60 emerging content creators with essential financial literacy, business acumen, and personal branding skills. This partnership is part of NCBA’s ongoing #TwendeMbele campaign aimed at fostering a financially empowered and economically active generation of Kenyan digital creators.
“We’ve partnered with the Dentsu School of Influence to champion the next generation of creators—equipping them with the tools to build powerful online brands, secure better deals, and make smarter money moves,” NCBA shared.
Influencers as Economic Drivers
At the heart of the workshop is a shared belief: influencers are economic drivers in today’s digital-first world. They’re not just entertainers—they’re entrepreneurs, marketers, and change agents.
“At NCBA, we believe influencers are economic drivers,” said Jacquie Muhati, Deputy Director, Marketing & Group Head of Brands. “That’s why we’re fusing our commitment to financial literacy with real conversations on money, influence, and growth—arming content creators with the knowledge to not just survive, but thrive.”
DSOI runs a six-month journey program that gives influencers a solid foundation for a career in content creation and gives them skills, tools and connections to supercharge their growth. Some of the topics at the school include Content Creation 101, Mastering Platforms, Money Matters, Working with Brands, Building Your Personal Brand, and Ethics & AI.
NCBA Bank’s workshops with DSOI are around monetization and financial literacy and investing.
The Curriculum: From Budgeting to Branding
Throughout the workshop, attendees explored vital topics such as:
Monetization strategies
Financial goal-setting
Budgeting & money personality types
Smart saving and investing
Personal branding and negotiating brand deals
“The creative economy is where innovation meets opportunity,” Jacquie Muhati emphasized. “It’s giving young people the chance to turn their passions into real, sustainable careers.That’s why at NCBA, we’ve teamed up with the Dentsu School of Influence—to grow the next wave of influencers and help them level up their skills, build meaningful brands, and make their mark.”
Understanding Your Money Personality
One of the most insightful sessions came from Paul Gicheru, who emphasized the importance of understanding how creators interact with money:“Are you a super saver or a super spender? Or do you invest more? What’s the first thing you do when you get your money? This forms the basis of your personality,” he explained.
This understanding, he added, is crucial for creators to make intentional decisions and avoid common financial pitfalls.
Practical Advice from the Experts
Jenniffer Kanyi, Head of Go Banking at NCBA, broke down financial wellness into simple, actionable steps:“Start by creating a realistic budget that balances your needs and wants. Then prioritize saving, even if it’s a small amount. Build an emergency fund to cushion against unexpected expenses. When it comes to credit, be intentional—borrow responsibly and avoid debt traps. Financial success begins with discipline.Finally, don’t shy away from investing. Whether it’s stocks, bonds, or other assets, smart investments help grow your wealth over time.”
Influence That Matters
Beyond financial education, Stephanie Odhiambo, NCBA’s Digital Marketing Manager, shed light on what truly resonates with brands:“Authenticity and relatability are everything. At NCBA, we champion real conversations and meaningful connections.”
“Great #Finfluencers blend financial savvy with authentic storytelling, passion, and relatability. They simplify money talk, build trust, and inspire action.”
Empowering the Future of Digital Kenya
As platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram continue to dominate Kenya’s content space, initiatives like this partnership between NCBA and DSOI are not just timely—they’re transformative.
This program sets a new standard for what brand-influencer partnerships can look like—purposeful, educational, and impact-driven.
Kenya, though its National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has begun deploying smart digital speed cameras across major highways in the country in a bold step toward modernizing road safety and enforcement.
Motorists who over-speed will be fined on-the-go. Instantly. Without the need for a court process or police intervention which loses the government money to corruption.
How It Works
The newly introduced system is powered by AI-driven speed detection technology combined with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR). Once a vehicle is detected exceeding the legal speed limit, the system automatically captures the vehicle’s number plate and records the offense in real-time.
Fines are then issued instantly, with the offending driver receiving a notification via SMS, eCitizen, or NTSA’s online portal.
“This initiative is aimed at curbing reckless driving and reducing road accidents by enforcing speed limits more efficiently,” said an NTSA official during a press briefing.
Where It’s Active
The rollout has already begun on high-risk corridors, including:
Nairobi–Nakuru Highway
Thika Superhighway
Mombasa Road
Selected urban hotspots within Nairobi
The cameras are strategically placed in areas with high accident rates and consistent reports of speeding violations.
Why It Matters
Kenya has seen a troubling rise in road accidents, with speeding being a leading cause. Traditional enforcement methods involving traffic police have faced criticism over inefficiency and corruption. The digital speed cameras are expected to:
Enhance accountability in traffic law enforcement
Minimize human error and interaction
Enable real-time monitoring and data collection on traffic patterns and road usage
Instant Penalties: What You Need to Know
Fines are automatically calculated and issued once the offense is logged.
Motorists can view their violations on the NTSA dashboard and make payments digitally.
Repeat offenders are flagged and may face increased penalties or court summons.
The system integrates with NTSA’s existing database, which may affect vehicle registration renewals if fines are unpaid.
Digital Enforcement: The Future of Kenyan Roads
Kenya joins a growing list of countries embracing automated traffic enforcement. By removing human intermediaries and going fully digital, NTSA hopes to reduce corruption and encourage drivers to adhere to traffic rules.
The authority also hinted at expanding the technology to monitor other offenses such as lane violations, running red lights, and distracted driving using machine learning algorithms.
DigiSquad, a South African fintech advisory firm has raised an undisclosed sum from South African fintech investment platform Crossfin Ventures in a move expected to help Johannesburg-based advisory and consulting, product design, and data analytics firm expand.
With clients throughout Africa and beyond, including the US, DigiSquad is a payments advisory and platform solutions company will use the funds to expand and serve more clients.
According to DigiSquad CEO and founder Bishnen Kumalo: “Africa’s payments sector is rife with innovation, but many of the products and services that are being designed by and for underserved communities fail to recognise the existing ecosystems and innovative approaches that are already present in these communities.“
DigiSquad aims to bring solutions through the digital products in the community as a proudly African, proudly black woman-owned fintech. DigiSquad will also continue redefining the face of digital innovation and to help drive financial inclusion across the continent.
Anton Gaylard, co-founder and CXO at Crossfin, says: “As a proudly South African investment platform, we are proud to support Bishnen and her team, with some of our team having already worked with them in previous roles.
“We were attracted to their cloud-based payments platform that holds great relevance across our portfolio and has already enjoyed the endorsement of Eskom. We look forward to leveraging their expertise across our portfolio and supporting them as they build out an exciting payments business.”
Kumalo, who previously worked in an executive capacity at BankservAfrica and was a director for the Rapid Payments Programme, provided the initial spark that led to the formation of DigiSquad, the statement adds.
Partner Lundi Kumalo, who manages the operations of the business, and Keitumetse Koboekae, who heads up product development, joined shortly after to form the “Squad”.
“Having worked in teams during my time in corporate and experiencing the power of collaboration first hand, I was determined from the outset not to do this alone,” says Bishnen Kumalo. “Shortly after founding DigiSquad, I convinced Lundi and Keitu to join me as equal shareholders in the business.”
According to Crossfin, the collective experience and expertise within the squad has enabled the company to compete on an even footing with larger, more established companies.
It notes that the team drew on the technical capabilities developed while working at large banks and financial institutions to develop their own payments platform, called DigiEngine.
“We knew our technical capabilities were enough of a point of differentiation to make us competitive,” says Koboekae. “We bootstrapped the build and developed DigiEngine over an 18-month period. Recently, we were awarded a contract by Eskom to become one of its five national vending agents, beating out far larger competitors in the process.”
Lundi Kumalo adds: “DigiSquad has had to endure the pressures inherent in starting up a company balancing immediate client needs and future strategy. By taking a two-pronged approach, we were able to build a strong advisory practice, while undergoing the technical build. Getting that balance right was tricky, and we experienced several challenges along the way, but we kept on going, sometimes on just a wing and a prayer.”
The company says it now wants to scale its activities and expand its sphere of influence to a broader cross-section of the African payments and fintech landscape, which prompted its search for venture funding.
However, Bishnen Kumalo says most venture capital firms don’t look at the types of organisations that DigiSquad is seeking to support.
“I encountered Crossfin while working in corporate and liked their focus on building synergies between the companies in which they invest. While we may be a start-up, we are all highly experienced and qualified, with established networks and a strong reputation within the formal financial services sector.
“Crossfin understood this better than most and can integrate our expertise and technologies with the other companies − large and small − within its portfolio. We believe this will accelerate our growth and enable us to rapidly expand our reach and impact.”
Undoubtedly one of the most influential technologies in recent decades, the ascent of artificial intelligence has produced a mixture of reactions from individuals, organisations, and countries. Eyes widen as we explore its potential, concerns grow as it threatens jobs, and conversations take place at a global level on how it should be regulated. However, for cybersecurity professionals’ artificial intelligence presents a double-edged sword.
Although AI has shown the ability to enhance cybersecurity solutions with its pattern recognition, summarisation, and assistance capabilities, it also opens the door for threat actors to harness the technology in much more sinister ways. So, in a world where we are in a constant race to out-innovate cybercriminals, what impact will AI have, especially as it continues to evolve itself?
New technologies mean new threats
Cybercriminals have proven they shouldn’t be underestimated. They are continually updating their tactics, strategies, and tools to breach businesses, and AI only strengthens their arsenal. AI has commonly been used to help threat actors better imitate real people – altering voices, pictures, and messages to carry out convincing phishing attacks.
Beyond mimicking human behaviour, cybercriminals have begun to experiment with AI at a more technical level. Malicious GPTs have been advertised on cybercriminal marketplaces, with functions such as automated penetration testing or malicious malware development. However, sharing a similar experience to legal industries and businesses, there is still some hesitance from cybercriminals when it comes to implementing the technology into operations, as threat actors are mainly exploring generative AI in the context of experimentation and proof-of-concepts.
This does not mean organisations should see this as a sign to slow down, as artificial intelligence will inevitably become a regular feature of cyberattacks. Instead, businesses should be evaluating if they are using the technology in a secure and optimal way within their cybersecurity set up.
AI adoption is not about being first, but being smart
While AI adoption in cybersecurity can bring many advantages, it also introduces a number of risks if approached incorrectly. Poorly implemented AI models can inadvertently introduce considerable cybersecurity risks of their own – if it isn’t provided with the right inputs, it cannot provide adequate outcomes. Organisations are alert to this risk, with the vast majority (89%) of cybersecurity professionals saying they are concerned about how potential flaws in cybersecurity tools’ generative AI capabilities will harm their organisation, with 43 per cent highlighting they are extremely concerned.
This alertness must also remain for AI that’s implemented in non-cybersecurity related tools, as emerging technologies pose threats in their infancy. Agentic AI for example has become highly topical recently, but will a technology that learns from humans be able to adequately defend itself from cyber threats? At its current level, AI should be approached with the intention that it can serve a single purpose and expecting an individual system or ‘AI agent’ to do everything with minimal human interference is risk inducing.
Therefore, an organisation’s artificial intelligence advances – both within cybersecurity infrastructure and its entire technology stack – must be done with guardrails up and thorough oversight.
Fighting fire with fire without getting burnt
In an ongoing race against cybercriminals, artificial intelligence will only become a multiplier to innovation that takes place on both sides. For businesses, avoiding the risks of AI within cybersecurity systems is possible when implementation is approached with care. This can be achieved through:
Inquiring about vendor’s AI capabilities: AI requires transparency, and asking cybersecurity vendors about how their data is trained, what AI expertise their professionals have, and their roll out process for deploying AI capabilities will help paint a clearer picture of AI development best practices.
Providing strict outlines to AI investment: AI investment cannot be rushed, so it is important to assess whether AI provides the best solution for current cybersecurity challenges, prioritise specific AI investments, and measure the impact of AI once it is implemented into cybersecurity infrastructure.
Remain human first in AI adoption. Organisations should never take a set-and-forget approach to cybersecurity, and this is even more the case when AI is involved. Ultimately, cybersecurity is a human responsibility, and AI should be used as an accelerant to support cybersecurity professionals, not a replacement.
Artificial intelligence will become a mainstay within organisations for many years to come. This is no different for cybersecurity, however with such high stakes it is vital that AI is used correctly, or it will only work against its intended purpose – giving cybercriminals the leg up over organisations in this ongoing battle. It is not about implementing a range of AI capabilities to expand your cybersecurity infrastructure, but the right capabilities that address your cybersecurity needs.
Cash Voucher Assistance (CVA) is reshaping humanitarian aid. This piece by Brenda Oyugi of MSC, Endashaw Tesfaye of the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and Edward Obiko examines what the future holds for vulnerable communities in the Somali region of Ethiopia.
Cash transfer programming is increasingly a preferred method of delivering humanitarian aid. Armed with an injection of cash, targets for a humanitarian response can decide how to meet their own needs and respond rapidly when those needs change. What’s more, additional cash in a recovering economy can serve to buoy local businesses, helping to keep local markets healthy when crises become protracted.
Cash transfers empower recipients by allowing them to prioritize their needs: food, shelter, healthcare, or education. This flexibility is critical in diverse and dynamic situations, such as crises where needs can rapidly change.
In addition, Cash Voucher Assistance supports local economies by injecting cash directly into communities, stimulating market activity, and enabling local businesses to thrive. This is particularly important in prolonged crises where traditional aid can undermine local markets. Moreover, cash transfers are often more cost-effective, logistically simpler, and more straightforward to distribute than in-kind aid, reducing overhead costs and ensuring a greater portion of funds directly benefits those in need.
Over the past decade, cash transfer programming globally has seen significant growth within the humanitarian aid sector. By 2016, the UN Secretary-General emphasized that cash transfers should become the primary support method for crisis-affected populations whenever feasible. This recommendation was rooted in the evolving understanding that cash-based interventions often provide more flexible, efficient, and dignified assistance than traditional in-kind aid.
The roots of Cash Voucher Assistance (CVA) trace back to the early 2000s when pilot projects demonstrated their effectiveness in various contexts, including responses to natural disasters and conflicts. By the mid-2010s, numerous large-scale humanitarian organizations had integrated CVA into their standard practices. For instance, in 2015, the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) reported that CVAs constituted 21% of its food assistance portfolio. Data from the Cash Learning Partnership (CaLP) reveals that by 2018, over USD 5.6 billion was distributed through CVA globally, marking a substantial increase from previous years.
As CVA usage grows, the modes of delivery also evolve. Initially, cash assistance often involved physically disbursing cash to recipients, which posed challenges such as security risks and logistical complexities. However, the proliferation of digital technologies and mobile banking or mobile money has significantly transformed the disbursement landscape. According to CaLP, digital payments are now becoming a preferred method of delivery for the distribution of CVA.
Donors such as the European Union’s humanitarian unit, DG ECHO, are promoting a “Digital by Default” form of humanitarian support distribution while implementing partners such as WFP are piloting digital payment in countries such as Ethiopia and Somalia. For instance, a 2020 pilot in Somalia demonstrated the effectiveness of this shift, with 63% of all such supports transitioning to digital payments by 2022. While the move towards digital payments has enabled greater speed and scale of response; a study conducted in the Horn of Africa has shown that humanitarian agencies are concerned about the time it takes to establish contracts with financial service providers.
Furthermore, a study conducted in Kenya by the Center for Global Development (CGD) and MicroSave Consulting (MSC) Global shows strong support for offering choices in financial service distribution channels where this is feasible. This choice is also advisable to address the demand of last-mile beneficiaries. Today, financial service providers (FSPs) and mobile money platforms are increasingly being used to transfer funds directly to beneficiaries’ accounts using digital payment solutions.
Why digitize payments in humanitarian aid in Ethiopia?
The Ethiopian government has been distributing CVA under the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) since 2005. Notably, it was the first program to use mobile money in mid-2015, after a successful pilot in the Tigray region by the regional bureau office supported by UNICEF (It used the M-BIRR service of Dedebit MFI). Various organizations, including the World Bank, WFP, UNHCR, Islamic Relief, and World Vision, are involved in these humanitarian interventions.
Despite a substantial increase in account ownership in Ethiopia—from 22% in 2014 to over 46% in 2022 —a significant gap remains, particularly in rural areas, where over 75% of the population still struggles with limited access. The gender disparity is also striking, with only 39% of women owning accounts compared to 55% of men. These challenges highlight the urgent need for strategic interventions to further expand account ownership and improve the services provided to beneficiaries.
A critical component of advancing digital ways of distributing CVA in Ethiopia includes Financial Service Providers (FSPs) building a trained and appropriately incentivized agent network. This network, combined with a clear business model and the implementation of a master or super-agent model, can effectively reach small agents at a village level to support financial institutions. In a CaLP study, six bulk payment operators in humanitarian intervention2 reflected that such an agent network management structure is key to planning and managing liquidity for bulk disbursement services. This network should also target female agents in regions such as the Somali region, as their involvement can significantly enhance financial inclusion and gender equality.
Based on these findings and the knowledge of Ethiopian financial service providers, the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is leading an initiative to enhance the capabilities of FSPs engaged in humanitarian efforts, focusing on digital payments and agent network services. A comprehensive on-the-ground assessment revealed a gap between the needs of humanitarian aid services and the current capabilities of FSPs. In response, UNCDF, in partnership with MSC, launched a pilot program involving three FSPs—Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Shebelle Bank, and Cooperative Bank of Oromia—to improve the delivery of CVA in a WFP intervention supporting 65,000 beneficiaries in the Somali region. The project was implemented in partnership with MSC under the Digital Finance for Resilience (DFS4Res) Programme, funded by the European Union and the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).
Follow here to go into the details of the lessons learned from this project.
MEST Africa, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has selected 12 EdTech startups to join the second cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in Ghana.
This six-month entrepreneurship acceleration program will equip the EdTech ventures with mentorship, funding, and expertise in the science of learning and builds on the success of the first cohort of 12 EdTech Companies, whose solutions impacted over 136,798 learners during the period of acceleration.
According to Angela Duho, Program Manager at MEST Africa, “In Ghana, EdTech is not just about innovation—it’s about creating equal opportunities for every student, no matter where they live. It empowers teachers with the tools they need to inspire, and it prepares our youth for a future where digital skills are essential. The first cohort has already shown us what’s possible, and we’re confident that these new Fellows will continue to transform education and unlock potential across the country.”
The 12 EdTech companies selected for the 2025 cohort will over the next six months benefit from comprehensive support, including expert mentorship, access to funding, and specialized training to help them scale their solutions effectively and sustainably.
They include:
TECHAiDE (https://TECHAiDE.Global/) is a social enterprise committed to enhancing education, youth development, and healthcare throughout Africa. Since 2011, they have collaborated with global partners to deliver practical, affordable, and lasting solutions that uplift individuals, strengthen communities, and support institutions in creating brighter futures
MooslaTrain (https://apo-opa.co/3S08HuA) is redefining math education in Ghana by sparking curiosity and confidence in students. This is done through community-driven math clubs and digital learning tools that make math approachable and fun, equipping young learners with the skills to thrive in STEM and beyond.
Scribble Works Publishing House (https://ScribbleWorks.carrd.co/) is passionate about enriching education in Africa by providing educators and students with affordable, curriculum-aligned materials and interactive digital tools, fostering engaging learning experiences backed by actionable insights.
InovTech STEM Center is an innovation hub devoted to bringing STEM education to underserved communities. Through hands-on robotics and coding programs—like STEM4Her, Powered Girl, and Powered Boy—they inspire students and teachers to develop skills that open doors to new opportunities.
STEMAIDE (www.STEMAIDE.com) is focused on reshaping education in Africa by nurturing problem-solving, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit in young people. STEMAIDE strives to prepare the next generation with the tools and mindset to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Nikasemo Technologies (www.Nikasemo.com) is dedicated to enhancing the classroom experience in basic schools with their software and hardware solutions that streamline school operations and create dynamic, engaging learning environments that help students reach their full potential.
Jesi AI (https://AI.UseJesi.com/) is a generative AI assistant supporting teachers in Ghana’s junior and senior high schools. By simplifying the creation of high-quality, curriculum-aligned lesson plans and materials, Jesi AI saves educators time while also acting as a virtual tutor to guide students and track their growth.
Metaschool AI (https://MetaschoolApp.com/) is an educational app designed with BECE and WASSCE students in Ghana in mind. Offering interactive video lessons from top instructors, Metaschool provides a flexible, student-paced learning platform that makes academic success more achievable.
Maxim Nyansa Foundation (https://MaximNyansa.com/) empowers high school students and teachers across Africa with vital IT infrastructure and educational software. By tapping into open-source solutions, Maxim Nyansa improves access to quality education and works to close the digital gap.
The Ghana Olympiad Academy (https://GhanaOlympiadAcademy.com/),through its Academic Talent Development Programme, brings hands-on STEM learning to learners in Ghana. They nurture talent in literacy, numeracy, and STEM, preparing young minds for leadership and innovation on a global stage.
Asah Maker-Space is passionate about automation, robotics, 3D printing, coding, and construction. Asah Makerspace’s team of skilled educators and tech enthusiasts empowers the next generation of creators through immersive, practical learning experiences.
Craft EducationTechnologies (www.CraftEducation.io) bridges the gap between therapists, parents, and teachers to create a seamless support system for children with behavior and learning challenges, including autism. This collaborative model ensures that every child receives the individualized attention they need to succeed.
“The Mastercard Foundation looks to support the acceleration of EdTech solutions that reach all, including those out-of-school young people who are constantly left out of the education ecosystem. For it is when we design with the end user in mind that the business case for the solutions is more scalable, sustainable and impactful. Our collaboration with MEST Africa is to transform education in Ghana through technology-enabled learning”, added Rodwell Mangisi, the Acting Director of the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning.
Through the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, this cohort will embark on a transformative journey, gaining mentorship from experts in education innovation, sustainability, and scale, access to courses on the science of learning, and equity-free grants. This robust support aims to scale their solutions and elevate educational outcomes for millions across Ghana and Africa.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) proudly announces the renaming of the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship into the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, signifying a renewed commitment to accelerating economic prosperity through innovation-led entrepreneurship in growth markets—including Africa. This transition is made possible through a generous gift from Sayuri Sharper (SB ’81, SM ’82) and Craig Sharper (SM ’80), whose passion for entrepreneurship and global prosperity aligns with MIT’s commitment to fostering transformative change.
Unveiled during the Innovation in Global Growth Markets: Prosperity Through Entrepreneurship Conference, this landmark shift underscores the center’s vision: positioning entrepreneurship as a driver of economic agency and a bridge to growth market’s (including Africa) full participation in the global knowledge economy. By strengthening innovation ecosystems, the Center aims to equip entrepreneurs with the tools needed to scale solutions that address real-world challenges while ensuring these dynamic regions emerge as global hubs for technological advancement.
“The generous gift from Sayuri and Craig Sharper will allow MIT to extend its impact across Africa and other growth markets,” said Georgia Perakis, John C Head III Dean (Interim) at the MIT Sloan School of Management. “Through this support, we are fostering a new era of entrepreneurship—where bold thinkers and visionary innovators are empowered to shape Africa’s economic future.”
Africa’s Entrepreneurs at the Forefront of Transformation
Since its inception in 2007, the center has provided nearly $10.5 million USD in tuition support to over 400 fellows from 67 countries, catalyzing groundbreaking solutions across fintech, healthcare, deep tech, and sustainable energy. African entrepreneurs have been among the most impactful beneficiaries of the center’s programs.
To date, the center has nurtured 344 student fellows from across growth markets globally, resulting in 286 ventures—75% of which remain active today. Additionally, more than 45 FoundryFellows from Botswana, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Gabon, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zambia have engaged with the center, spearheading change across key industries. Their entrepreneurial contributions are redefining Africa’s economic landscape and reinforcing the continent’s standing as a powerhouse of innovation and opportunity.
With the unwavering support of the Kuo Sharper family, the center is committed to scaling its efforts—expanding research, fortifying entrepreneurial networks, and shifting global narratives about growth markets including Africa. The vision is clear: entrepreneurs are not merely participants in the global economy but architects of its transformation, pioneering solutions that drive inclusive growth, sustainability, and competitiveness.
“Entrepreneurship is about resilience, ingenuity, and the ability to shape the future,” said Sayuri Sharper, CEO of Kuo Sharper Initiative and President of KSF Impact. “At MIT, we have the privilege to support bold African entrepreneurs who are turning challenges into opportunities and leading the continent toward lasting prosperity.”
Advancing Entrepreneurship and Innovation Across the Continent
Under its new name, the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship will continue to expand its flagship programs—including the MIT Student Fellowship,Foundry Fellowship, in addition to off campus educational initiatives and bootcamp programs, while forging collaborative partnerships to mobilize capital, scale ventures, and embed entrepreneurship as a foundation for sustainable development.
“This evolution is more than a name change; it represents a bold step toward building a new calculus for global prosperity—one that centers the ingenuity, resilience, and leadership of entrepreneurs in Africa and other growth markets,” said Dina H. Sherif, Executive Director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship. “We are moving beyond outdated narratives of dependency to a future where African entrepreneurs are recognized as architects of global innovation and essential contributors to solving the world’s most pressing challenges.”
With senior African policymakers, investors, and visionary business leaders convening for the center’s annual conference on April 23-24, 2025, the conversation continues: how can Africa unlock its full entrepreneurial potential and cement its role in shaping the future of global innovation?
For more information on the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, please visit the center’s official website here. To register for the ongoing conference and access the live stream, visit the event platform.
IZI Electric has launched the Impala E30, a 30-seater electric coach set to take on Roam Buses and disrupt electric public transport in Africa.
The Impala E30 features CATL’s revolutionary BC5 battery system, backed by an unprecedented 10-year/1-million-kilometer warranty, the first and the best in Africa, says the team.
“This warranty is the breakthrough the market has been waiting for,” explained Alex Wilson, CEO of IZI Electric. “Until now, electric bus manufacturers have typically offered an average 4-year or 400,000-kilometer warranties, creating significant anxiety about long-term battery performance and limiting financing options. Our 10-year warranty fundamentally changes this dynamic, giving both operators and financial institutions the confidence to invest in cleaner, more economical transport.”
The Impala E30 will join IZI’s leasing fleet in June, with initial deployment focused on intercity routes exceeding 400 kilometres per day. With over 50 units already ordered, IZI is rapidly scaling operations in Rwanda.
Game-Changing Economics
With pricing expected to be 10-40% lower than equivalent electric vehicles from Europe and China, the firm sees a big market for Impala E30 in Africa. A typical intercity bus traveling 200km daily in Africa consumes approximately $64 in diesel at current prices compared to $8 the Impala E30 requires to cover the same distance across markets like Zambia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
Over a 10-year period, the total operating cost savings are drastic when going electric, diesel bus 10-year fuel cost is ~$233,650 compared to Impala E30 10-year fuel costs at ~$29,384, a 10-year savings per vehicle or over ~$204,266. This represents up to 87% saving on fuel costs over 10-years, transforming income for public transport operators.
Designed for Africa, the Impala E30 features marine-grade anti-corrosion materials to combat coastal salt exposure, reinforced waterproofing systems for tropical environments, optimized suspension for varied road quality including unpaved roads and advanced thermal battery management system for high-heat conditions.
Smarter Fleets, Lower Risk
Its IZI Connect fleet management platform provides operators with real-time monitoring of vehicle location and performance, predictive maintenance alerts that prevent breakdowns before they occur, driver behaviour insights to maximize range and safety and smart route optimization based on energy consumption patterns.
“Our integrated fleet management system is critical to improving operational efficiency,” said Wilson. “By providing real-time data on vehicle performance and driver behaviour, we’re helping operators extract maximum value from their investment.”
Designed for the Coaster Economy
“The Coaster has been the workhorse of African transport for decades, with over 100,000 in operation” Wilson explained. “In Rwanda alone, there are over 1,000 diesel coasters in service. In Tanzania, they dominate intercity routes, while in Ghana, they’re the preferred choice for corporate staff transportation. We’ve designed the Impala E30 to seamlessly replace these vehicles with a zero-emission alternative that offers similar acquisition costs but dramatically lower operating expenses.”
Strong Demand Already Rolling In
IZI has already secured over 50 pre-orders from transport operators across East Africa, with the first vehicles set to arrive in July 2025.
Suno’s innovative approach to music generation offers unprecedented accessibility and versatility. By converting textual descriptions into fully realized musical compositions, it empowers users to explore new creative horizons without the need for extensive technical expertise. This article provides a detailed guide on utilizing Suno effectively, exploring its core features, customization options, and best practices to maximize your music production experience.
What is Suno
Suno leverages sophisticated AI models to interpret user-provided text prompts and generate corresponding musical outputs. The platform’s architecture is designed to accommodate a wide range of musical styles and structures, making it a versatile tool for various creative applications.
Key Features of Suno
∙ Text-to-Music Conversion: Users can input descriptive text prompts, and it generates music that aligns with the provided description.
∙ Customizable Parameters: it allows for detailed customization, enabling users to specify aspects such as genre, mood, instrumentation, and song structure.
∙ Iterative Development: Users can refine their compositions through iterative prompts, progressively enhancing the musical output.
How to Use Suno for Music Production?
1. Sign Up and Set Up Your Suno Account
∙ Visit the official Suno website and create an account.
∙ Choose a subscription plan that suits your music production needs. ∙ Configure settings based on your preferred music style.
2. Familiarize Yourself with the User Interface
∙ Explore the dashboard and locate music-related tools.
∙ Customize settings for tempo, genre, and instrument preferences.
∙ Learn where to access AI-generated loops and patterns.
3. Select Your Music Creation Mode
Suno offers various functionalities depending on your goals:
∙ Melody and Harmony Generation: Create tunes using AI-generated suggestions. ∙ Beat and Rhythm Production: Develop drum loops and rhythmic patterns effortlessly. ∙ Audio Enhancement and Effects: Apply professional sound effects to enhance compositions. ∙ Collaboration and Sharing: Work with other musicians using cloud-based integration.
How to Use Suno for ComposingMusic?
Suno simplifies the music composition process through AI-driven assistance. Here’s how you can create your next hit track:
1. Choose Your Music Genre
∙ Select from various genres like pop, hip-hop, electronic, rock, or classical. ∙ Define the mood and energy level of your track.
2. Generate AI-Powered Melodies and Harmonies
∙ Use Suno’s melody generator to create inspiring tunes.
∙ Adjust note sequences, tempo, and key signatures.
∙ Experiment with chord progressions suggested by AI.
3. Create a Rhythm and Beat Structure
∙ Utilize AI-generated drum loops and percussive elements.
∙ Customize beat patterns to fit your style.
∙ Layer different instrumental sounds to create depth in your composition.
4. Add Instrumentation and Effects
∙ Choose from synthesized instruments or real instrument emulations.
∙ Apply reverb, delay, and equalization for a polished sound.
∙ Use automation tools to adjust dynamics and transitions.
5. Finalize and Export Your Track
∙ Review your composition and make necessary refinements.
∙ Export your music file in preferred formats like MP3 or WAV. ∙ Share your creation on streaming platforms or with collaborators.
How to Get started with Suno
Getting started with Suno is easy, enjoyable, and straightforward. Whether you prefer a quick, seamless approach to generating music or want to dive deeper into customizing the style and lyrics of your song, the platform caters to your needs. Choose between two options based on your preferences and comfort level.
Option A: Simple Method
The Suno interface makes creating music as effortless as providing a prompt.
Steps to follow:
∙ Provide a Prompt: Think about the mood, theme, or story you’d like your song to convey. It can range from ideas like “a calm beach melody” to “an energetic rock anthem.” ∙ Click Create: Suno’s AI will compose two distinct versions of your song based on your input with just one click.
∙ Review and Select: Listen to both versions and choose the one that resonates with you the most.
Option B: Advanced Customization Method
This method offers greater control over the song’s lyrics, musical style, and overall vibe. Steps for customization:
Generate Lyrics
You can create lyrics quickly using Suno’s AI Lyric Generator or opt for external tools like Claude or ChatGPT for more tailored results. These external language models often deliver lyrics that align closely with your desired theme and style. You can refine the lyrics further by using specific prompts for a polished final product.
Personalize Your Song
∙ Lyrics: If you’ve created lyrics using an external model, paste them into Suno’s interface. Alternatively, if you’re using Suno’s Lyric Generator, the lyrics will auto-populate for you. You can addtags like [Chorus], [Verse], or [Break] to guide Suno in structuring the song.
∙ Style of Music: Specify your desired musical genre, such as pop, classical, jazz, or cinematic orchestral. Suno will align the composition with your preferences.
∙ Persona (Beta): Utilize Personas to replicate the tone, energy, and atmosphere of an existing track for your new song. To create a Persona:
∙ Pick a song you admire.
∙ Go to the “More Options” menu above the lyrics display.
∙ Choose Create -> Make a Persona.
∙ Title: Assign a title to your song. This helps with organizing, storing, and retrieving your work seamlessly.
Generate Your Music
Press the create button, and Suno’s AI will generate two versions of your song for you to choose from, similar to the simple method outlined earlier.
it offers you flexibility and creativity, empowering you to create music effortlessly—whether it’s a quick prompt-based melody or a fully customized song tailored to your vision.
How to Prompt Suno
Embarking on your music creation journey with Suno involves several key steps, from crafting effective prompts to utilizing advanced customization features.
Crafting Effective Prompts
The foundation of a successful music generation process in Suno lies in the clarity and specificity of your text prompts. A well-crafted prompt guides the AI in producing music that closely aligns with your creative vision.
Elements of a Detailed Prompt
∙ Era: Specify the time period to evoke a particular musical style (e.g., “1980s synth-pop”). ∙ Genre/Subgenre: Define the musical genre to set the stylistic framework (e.g., “lo-fi hip-hop”). ∙ Region: Indicate regional influences to incorporate specific cultural elements (e.g., “Brazilianbossa nova”).
∙ Vocal Style: Describe the desired vocal characteristics (e.g., “smooth jazz vocals”). ∙ Descriptors: Use adjectives to convey mood and energy (e.g., “melodic,” “energetic”). Example Prompt:
“1990s alternative rock, United States, gritty guitar riffs, dynamic drum patterns, powerful vocals.” Utilizing Suno’s Meta Tags
To structure your composition effectively,it supports the use of meta tags that delineate different sections of the song.
Common Meta Tags and Their Functions
∙ [Intro]: Denotes the introduction of the song.
∙ [Verse]: Indicates the main narrative sections.
∙ [Chorus]: Marks the recurring, catchy segments.
∙ [Pre-Chorus]: Serves as a build-up to the chorus.
∙ [Bridge]: Provides a contrasting section to add variety.
∙ [Outro]: Signifies the conclusion of the song.
Example Prompt with Meta Tags:
[Intro] Soft piano intro
[Verse] Gentle vocals narrate a nostalgic memory [Chorus] Catchy hook with upbeat rhythms [Bridge] Instrumental break with guitar solo [Chorus] Repeat catchy hook with added harmonies [Outro] Fade-out with ambient sounds
How much does Suno Music Cost
Suno offers a range of plans designed to cater to different needs and budgets, ensuring everyone can find the right fit for their music creation journey. If you’re experimenting or just starting out, the Basic Plan is completely free and ideal for trying out Suno’s features. For those looking to monetize their creations, the Pro Plan provides professional-level tools to turn your work into a business. Creators requiring large-scale production can benefit from the Premier Plan, which delivers the volume and speed necessary for high-efficiency projects. Students on a budget can access pro-level features with the Student Plan, offering premium capabilities at a lower cost. No matter your level of expertise or goals, it provides flexible options to support your creative aspirations.
CometAPI offer a price far lower than the official price to help you integrate suno API, and you will get $1 in your account after registering and logging in! Welcome to register and experience CometAPI.
More details about Suno Music API
Conclusion
Suno is revolutionizing music production by offering AI-powered tools that simplify the creative process. Whether you’re a beginner exploring new sounds or a professional producer looking to enhance efficiency, it provides a versatile platform for music creation. By understanding its features and best practices, you can leverage Suno to compose, refine, and share high-quality music effortlessly. Start using Suno today and take your music production skills to the next level.
Connected Africa Summit has announced the official call for entries for the 2025 Connected ICT Innovation Awards, inviting tech innovators across the continent to submit their groundbreaking solutions.
The awards will recognise outstanding achievements in four key categories: AgriTech, GreenTech, Creative Economy, and AI & Cybersecurity for Business and Government. To qualify, applicants must have a registered company, an active product or service in use for at least six months, and serve African end-users either directly or via partners.
Winners will be honoured at the 13th annual Connected Africa Summit, scheduled for May 26 – 29, 2025, at Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort in Diani. They will receive trophies, certificates, and exposure to potential investors, partners, and customers from across the region.
“Innovation is the cornerstone of Africa’s digital transformation, and the Connected ICT Innovation Awards continue to showcase the continent’s incredible potential,” said Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of the ICT Authority. “We invite all innovators to step forward with solutions that are shaping our future from agriculture and green tech to AI and creative industries.”
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of expert judges drawn from across Africa. The awards are part of the broader Connected Africa Summit programme, which brings together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and the innovation ecosystem to advance the digital economy agenda.
Since their inception in 2011, the Innovation Awards have recognised more than 110 ICT solutions that have demonstrated impact, scalability, and innovation across the continent.
Past awardees have used the platform as a springboard to expand into new markets. Among them is Elly Savatia, Founder of Signvrse, who was named First Runners-Up in the Healthcare category in 2024.
“I am grateful for the opportunity and support extended to us last year when we were named First Runners-Up in the Healthcare Category during the Connected Africa Summit 2024 Innovation Awards. The platform offered us both visibility and validation, and it has truly helped accelerate our journey.”
The deadline for submissions is May 2, 2025. Interested innovators can apply via the official portal at https://connected.go.ke.
Digital nomadism had started long ago – around 15 to 20 years – in Africa but was only made popular around 2014-2015 when conference series, co-working spaces, and online communities started emerging. In fact, most African digital nomads have taken advantage of the skilled worker visa to relocate to the UK for remote work.
As digital nomadism became more popular, most countries created the digital nomad visa to allow remote workers to travel and live in their country for a certain period. Seeing the advantages that come with being a digital nomad, most Africans are now drawn to this lifestyle.
The aim of the digital nomad visa is to attract remote workers who are highly skilled in entrepreneurship, design, and tech. When these digital nomads spend on leisure, food, transportation, and housing, it helps boost the country’s economy.
For more Africans who work remotely and wish to travel the world, this article will explore digital nomad visas available to African citizens in 2025. You will learn about digital nomad visas you should target in 2025, eligibility criteria, and a step-by-step guide on how to apply.
The Rise of African Digital Nomads
What could have contributed to the rise of digital nomadism among Africans? Certain factors such as the growing popularity of remote working and the desire to experience a new culture and lifestyle while still earning.
Looking at the current value of most African currencies, having more global income streams can enable them to afford the digital nomad lifestyle comfortably. Unlike what other countries would like to believe, most African countries have access to fast internet networks and remote job opportunities.
Unfortunately, unlike other digital nomads, African digital nomads suffer certain limitations when seeking international opportunities. For instance, Africans from certain countries have been banned from visiting certain countries and while trying to visit the other countries that they can, they pass through strict scrutiny before they are approved.
Also, most Africans are not even aware that opportunities like this exist because of a lack of proper circulation of information. When they later become aware, the thought of passing through different complex immigration policies discourages most of them.
What most Africans don’t know is that the digital nomad visa is a legal and streamlined way to leave the country while working from the comfort of your location. You get to meet other digital nomads who can introduce you to new ideas, markets, and experiences.
Key Digital Nomad Visas African Citizens Can Target in 2025
Within Africa, there are countries that offer digital nomad visas such as Namibia, Mauritius, Kenya, South Africa, Seychelles, and Cape Verde.
In Europe, countries that offer digital nomad visas include Malta, Croatia, Estonia, North Macedonia, Latvia, Norway, Iceland, Georgia, Portugal, Romania, Hungary, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Greece and many more.
In Asia, countries that offer digital nomad visas include Malaysia, Dubai, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Serbia and Japan.
To discuss the requirements for each country would be time-consuming, hence, only general requirements will be discussed. Those who wish to visit any of these countries as digital nomads must be at least 18 years of age.
For Europe, they have to be citizens of developing countries, not EU or Swiss nationals. Depending on the country, you have to meet a minimum income requirement (this is usually 2 or 3 times the country’s minimum wage).
You need to be a remote worker employed by a country outside the host country. You also need to have private medical insurance coverage since you may not have access to the host country’s public healthcare services.
You need to have proof of where you will reside during your stay – this can be a receipt from rent paid, tenancy agreement, etc. You must submit a criminal record that says you’re free of committing any crime or have ever been convicted before.
Note that your passport must still be valid which means it will not expire within six months at the time of application. When you finally select a country whose digital nomad visa you want to apply for, be sure to check if they have additional requirements.
The price for a European digital nomad visa differs from country to country. For instance, Georgia’s digital nomad visa is free, Estonia charges €100, while Malta charges from €300 to €3000.
A digital nomad visa might be the best option for you because you get access to their healthcare and education, you can easily switch to permanent residency, you enjoy tax benefits and your family can relocate with you.
Eligibility Requirements and Key Considerations for African Applicants
The general requirements for a digital nomad visa have been discussed in the above section. However, there are stricter considerations for African citizens. For instance, there are stricter requirements for the documents they are to submit.
Another thing to be considered is the currency conversion when submitting financial proof. Some countries in Europe have their minimum income requirement at 49,000 while some in Asia have it at 61,000.
The processing time for Africans usually takes longer because immigration authorities always take more time to verify their claims. Hence, it is left for African applicants to do their due diligence by making thorough research and ensuring that their application comply with recent visa regulations.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa as an African
Before you start your application, make your research about the right type of visa to apply for based on the country you are going to. Then gather all the documents you will be expected to submit such as your passport, bank statements, travel itinerary, etc.
Go to the official website of the country you are applying to and create an account on their portal. Then complete the online application form with accurate and complete personal information.
If the country you are applying to requests for an interview, then you will have to schedule an appointment and attend the interview. You may have to show proof that you’ve secured an accommodation and have made other travel arrangements.
How Visa Delays Impact Global Procurement and Supply Chains
The digital nomad visa usually comes to the rescue when the visas of business owners who want to go abroad for business are delayed.
Seeing that this delay can cause increased costs, potential contract breaches, labour shortages and can impact staffing plans, companies can decide to opt for the DNV as a contingency plan.
Also, when the visa is delayed and the supply chain is affected, it can further lead to delays in production and challenges in meeting customer demand. To avoid bottlenecks and disruption of the flow of goods and materials across borders, some companies just opt for the DNV.
Tips for a Successful Digital Nomad Journey as an African
The foundation of applying for your digital nomad visa lies in how convincing your portfolio is. You need to prove that your skills and experience match the amount you claim to make. This means that you need to show proof of remote work that accounts for the money in your account.
You cannot have started remote work a month ago and already have $61,000 in your account unless you can prove legit areas where you got the money from such as savings and investments.
Connect with other digital nomads on online platforms and probably in-person meetups. Building a relationship with them – especially with those who have more experience than you – will help you learn more about having a successful journey as an African digital nomad.
Grok-3, developed by xAI, represents a significant advancement in artificial intelligence, offering developers a powerful tool for integrating sophisticated language models into their applications. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Grok 3 API, detailing its features, setup procedures, and practical applications.
What Is the Grok 3 API?
The Grok 3 API is an interface that allows developers to access the capabilities of the Grok-3 language model. It supports various functionalities, including text generation, comprehension, and real-time data integration. Designed with scalability and flexibility in mind, the API is suitable for a wide range of applications, from chatbots to complex data analysis tools.
How Can You Access the Grok-3 API?
As of April 10, 2025, Now xAI has launched API services for Grok-3-beta and Grok-3-mini models.Developers are encouraged to monitor xAI’s official channels for the latest updates on availability.
What Are the Key Features of the Grok 3 API?
The Grok 3 API offers several notable features:
Real-Time Data Integration: Grok 3 can access and process real-time data streams, enablingapplications to provide up-to-date information and insights
Scalability: The API is designed to handle large workloads, making it suitable for enterprise-levelapplications.
Advanced Language Understanding: Grok-3 exhibits superior reasoning and comprehensionabilities, allowing for more accurate and contextually relevant responses.
How Do You Set Up the Grok-3 API?
To integrate the Grok-3 API into your application, follow these steps:
Register on the xAI Developer Portal: Create an account on xAI’s official developer platform.
Generate API Keys: Once registered, generate your unique API keys, including an Access Key and a Secret Key.
Authenticate Your Requests: Use your API keys to authenticate requests to the Grok-3 API by including the Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY header in your HTTP requests.
Understand the Endpoints: Familiarize yourself with the main endpoints provided by the API, such as /models, /completions, /embeddings, and /fine-tunes.
What Are the Pricing Details for the Grok-3 API?
xAI has a data sharing plan. Developers can get $150 of free credit per month through the data sharing plan. These credits can be used to call the xAI Grok series models and deduct bills. The free credits can be used to call the Grok 3 API.
Currently, the API service of the Grok 3 series model only supports text to text, and does not yet support images.Price as shown：
How Can You Utilize the Grok-3 API in Your Applications?
The Grok-3 API can be leveraged in various ways:
Workflow Automation: Automate repetitive tasks and streamline business processes byintegrating Grok-3’s language understanding capabilities.
Data Analysis: Analyze large datasets to extract meaningful insights, benefiting from Grok 3’sadvanced comprehension abilities.
Communication Systems: Enhance customer support and internal communications by deployingintelligent chatbots and virtual assistants powered by Grok 3.
What Are the Best Practices for Using the Grok-3 API?
To maximize the benefits of the Grok 3 API, consider the following best practices:
Monitor Usage: Keep track of your API usage to manage costs effectively and ensure compliancewith xAI’s usage policies.
Implement Security Measures: Protect your API keys and ensure secure communication betweenyour application and the Grok-3 API.
Stay Updated: Regularly check for updates from xAI to take advantage of new features andimprovements in the Grok-3 API.
What Are the Limitations and Considerations?
While Grok 3 offers advanced capabilities, developers should be aware of potential limitations:
Content Moderation: Ensure that your application has appropriate content moderationmechanisms to prevent the generation of inappropriate or harmful content.
Data Privacy: Handle user data responsibly and comply with relevant data protectionregulations when integrating the Grok 3 API.
Dependence on Real-Time Data: While real-time data integration is a strength, it also requiresrobust infrastructure to handle continuous data streams effectively.
Access Grok 3 API in CometAPI
CometAPI provides access to over 500 AI models, including open-source and specialized multimodal models for chat, images, code, and more. Its primary strength lies in simplifying the traditionally complex process of AI integration. With it, access to leading AI tools like Claude, OpenAI, Deepseek, and Gemini is available through a single, unified subscription.You can use the API in CometAPI to create music and artwork, generate videos, and build your own workflows.
CometAPI offer a price far lower than the official price to help you integrate Grok 3 API, and you will get $1 in your account after registering and logging in! Welcome to register and experience CometAPI
Model Version
Grok 3 Beta
Grok-3-fast-beta
Input Tokens: $3 / M tokens
Input Tokens: $5 / M tokens
API Pricing in xAI
Output Tokens: $15/ M tokens
Output Tokens: $25/ M tokens
Input Tokens: $2.4 / M tokens
Input Tokens: $4/ M tokens
Price in CometAPI
Output Tokens: $12 / M tokens
Output Tokens: $20 / M tokens
model name
grok-3
grok-3-fast
grok-3-latest
grok-3-fast-latest
Model Version
Grok 3 Mini Beta
Grok-3-Mini-fast-beta
Input Tokens: $0.3 / M tokens
Input Tokens: $0.6 / M tokens
API Pricing in xAI
Output Tokens: $0.5/ M tokens
Output Tokens: $4/ M tokens
Input Tokens: $0.24 / M tokens
Input Tokens: $0.48/ M tokens
Price in CometAPI
Output Tokens: $0.4/ M tokens
Output Tokens: $3.2 / M tokens
model name
Conclusion
By following this guide, developers can effectively integrate the Grok-3 API into their applications, leveraging its advanced capabilities to create innovative and efficient solutions.
EV24.africa, a new African marketplace for electric vehicles (EVs) has been launched by Africar Groupand AUTO24.africa, to enable buyers in all 54 African countries to access a wide range of over 200 models from more than 25 global brands, with competitive pricing and seamless delivery.
With the increasing shift toward sustainable mobility, EV24.africa simplifies the process of purchasing EVs by offering a trusted, transparent, and customer-focused marketplace where individuals and businesses can explore and buy electric vehicles suited for African roads.
According to Axel Peyriere, Co-Founder and CEO of AUTO24.africa, “Africa is ready for electric vehicles, and EV24.africa is here to make the transition smooth and accessible. Our mission is to provide a trusted, transparent, and competitive EV marketplace for buyers across the continent. As governments introduce new policies and charging infrastructure improves, now is the time to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility.”
African governments are introducing new incentives and policies to accelerate EV adoption but to buyers, there are not enough places to source high-quality EVs, understand import regulations, and secure post-purchase support. EV24.africa aims to offer a vast selection of over 200 EV models, ranging from compact cars and SUVs to pickups and commercial vehicles and is working with more than 25 globally recognized brands, including BYD, Tesla, Toyota, Dongfeng, Wuling, Leapmotor, Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and more.
The platform will cover import and logistics services for all 54 African countries to make EV ownership accessible. The launch of EV24.africa builds on the experience and success of AUTO24.africa, which has already sold electric vehicles in over 15 African countries, including Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Benin, Togo and several others.
The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum across Africa, but remains hindered by the complexity of customs regulations, which vary significantly from one country to another. To address this challenge, EV24.africa, aims to help in the importation of electric vehicles, offer tailored support to its clients by providing clear, up-to-date information on customs duties, tax exemptions, and available incentives—through its network of logistics partners, forwarding agents, and local teams.
“Electric vehicles are not just about sustainability; they offer long-term savings on fuel and maintenance. With rising fuel costs and advancements in charging infrastructure, EVs are becoming an increasingly smart investment. EV24.africa is here to help individuals and businesses make that transition.” added Axel.
EV24.africa is committed to eliminating barriers to EV ownership by providing the largest selection of EVs in Africa, catering to different needs and budgets and giving transparent pricing and clear delivery processes, ensuring customers know exactly what they are paying for.
PDFs are firmly established as one of the most common file formats for sharing documents. One of the big reasons why it is such a universally popular option is that it is a smart and convenient way to preserve layout and formatting.
However, there will be occasions when a simple-looking PDF ends up being much larger than expected. This is frustrating as it makes it harder to email, upload, or store.
Why does this happen? There are actually some common reasons why this might happen. Let’s explore some causes and explanations as to why your PDF file is so large, and then provide some helpful tips and guidance on how to reduce PDF document size to where you want it to be.
It is possible that high-resolution images are embedded in the PDF
One of the most frequent culprits behind an unnecessarily bloated PDF file is down to the presence of high-resolution images.
It could be photos, scanned pages, or illustrations. These are all large image files that can very quickly cause your document to become oversized.
The good news is that it is easy to fix this issue without having too much technical know-how. What you need to do is compress the images before adding them to the PDF. You can do this using tools like TinyPNG or Photoshop, who will do all of the technical work for you. These tools reduce image resolution without losing too much quality.
It is also worth noting that using vector graphics where possible, such as SVGs, instead of raster images like JPEG or PNG can also help prevent the problem in the first place..
If the PDF file has already been created, use a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat or Preview for Mac to compress the entire document.
Unoptimized scans are another common cause
What you can find is that scanned documents often save each page as a high-resolution image rather than actual text and formatting. This results in massive file sizes, especially for multipage documents.
To get around this problem, when scanning, choose a lower DPI (dots per inch). For standard text, 150-200 DPI is usually sufficient. You could also use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tools during scanning.This is helpful as OCR converts scanned images into searchable and editable text, which significantly reduces the file size.
Bear in mind that many scanner apps and multifunction printers include “small file size” or “compact PDF” settings. Use these tools to avert the issue of a large file size in the first instance.
Custom fonts and embedded content can prove troublesome
Embedding custom fonts and non-standard elements like forms, multimedia, or JavaScript can soon increase a PDF’s size.
While font embedding is a good way to achieve a consistent appearance across devices, it can quickly add hidden bulk. To reduce your file size, you should aim to stick to standard system fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman, which don’t need to be embedded.
If you’re using a PDF creator or editor, look for an option to subset fonts. Using this option means only the characters used will be embedded. Also, avoid embedding unnecessary elements like videos, audio files, or interactive forms unless they are essential to the content.
Redundant metadata and hidden data can soon bloat the file size
PDFs have the ability to accumulate background data like version history, annotations, comments, and metadata. The problem with this is that they aren’t immediately visible but still contribute to the overall file size.
A good way of fixing this particular problem would be to use a PDF cleaner or editor to remove metadata and hidden elements. If you are using Adobe Acrobat, for instance, it has a feature under “Sanitize Document” or “Remove Hidden Information” that helps perform a cleanup of your file and reduce its size.
Another point to note is that flattening annotations and form fields that are no longer needed also reduces size. By saving a copy of the PDF using the “Save As” function, it can rewrite and clean the file. This helps to further minimize space usage.
You may not have applied compression or optimization
Sometimes, it can be the case that the file is overly large simply because no compression or optimization was applied during or after its creation.
Many users don’t realize that exporting to PDF doesn’t automatically optimize the file for sharing. There are several options available to fix this problem. You could use online compression tools like Smallpdf, ILovePDF, or PDFCompressor to shrink your file.
If you’re using Adobe Acrobat, for instance, the way to optimize your file would be to go to File > Save as Other > Reduced Size PDF. You could also use the PDF Optimizer for more control.
If you are using aMac, Preview’s Export option includes a “Reduce File Size” Quartz filter. Alternatively, in Microsoft Word, when saving as a PDF, select the “Minimum size (publishing online)” option to reduce the size.
Some tips to help keep PDF sizes manageable
A good way to prevent any of these issues occuring in the first place would be to remember some useful tips on keeping your PDF file sizes manageable.
A good starting point would be to avoid unnecessary pages or blank spaces, as they add bulk without value. You should also delete any content that doesn’t serve a purpose.
When merging PDFs, use tools that allow you to choose the output quality. If the document is long, consider breaking it into smaller parts. Lastly, instead of attaching large PDFs to emails, you could upload them to a cloud service and share a link.
As these workarounds and fixes demonstrate, a large PDF file doesn’t have to be a headache. By understanding what makes your PDF file so bulky, whether it’s things like massive images, unoptimized scans, or hidden content, you have the ability to take the right steps to slim it down.
Remember, with the right tools and practices, your PDFs will be easier to manage, share, and store, without sacrificing on quality.
If you think you should consider outsourcing, you are joining the many businesses that are looking for ways to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and stay competitive, and one strategy associated with offshoring that’s gaining momentum is nearshoring.
Nearshoring means moving business operations like manufacturing, customer service, or software development to a nearby country rather than a distant one. Unlike traditional offshoring, which involves working with partners at a far-flung location around the world, nearshoring focuses on geographical proximity, similar time zones, and cultural compatibility.
For example, many U.S. companies looking for software development staffing solutions would go to Canada or Mexico, while European businesses would work with partners in Eastern Europe. This approach means businesses can enjoy many benefits of outsourcing while avoiding some of the more common pitfalls of offshoring.
The Key Benefits of Nearshoring
Reduced Stress
Because nearshoring means operating in similar time zones, this means communication is far easier and more immediate. This overlap means there are fewer delays in decision-making and faster problem solving, which are crucial for projects that require close collaboration. We’ve all experienced the frustration of waiting for an email to answer an important question, only for it to come back to us 24 hours later! Time can run out, and nearshoring can reduce this anxiety.
Reducing Costs Without Reducing Quality
Nearshoring offers significant cost advantages, particularly when compared to onshore operations. Labour costs may be higher than traditional offshore destinations, but the savings on shipping, travel, and management can balance this out. Additionally, nearshore locations will tend to have more skilled workforces, particularly in sectors like manufacturing and technology.
The Cultural and Communication Components
When you work with partners who share similar cultural values, they’re more likely to share similar business practices. This means reduced misunderstanding and can build stronger relationships, which are particularly important in an industry like marketing, where the small things really do matter.
Risk Reduction and Resilience Within the Supply Chain
When you opt for nearshoring practices, you are shortening the supply chain, but it also reduces exposure to global disruptions (whether it’s a pandemic or a trade war), and it’s also easier to comply with regional regulations, for example, the data privacy laws in Europe.
Are There Challenges to Consider?
Of course, nearshoring has many advantages, but like everything, it comes with its own unique challenges. Labour costs in near-shore countries can be higher than in traditional offshore locations, which could make all the difference if budgets are tight.
Additionally, some companies can face limited availability of specialised skills, however, this depends on the region. Navigating different legal systems and tax policies can also require careful planning.
Is Nearshoring a Good Fit for You?
Ultimately, before you make the move, you need to conduct a thorough analysis and assess potential partners’ capabilities, security measures, and sustainability, but nearshoring is ideal for companies that require close collaboration, cultural compatibility, and stability within the supply chain without excessive costs. Nearshoring can, when done right, offer a middle ground between onshore and offshore outsourcing.
Techstars is introducing an improved accelerator investment offer for companies accepted into its future accelerator programs to $220,000 with all the benefits of its 3-month mentorship-driven accelerator program.
The $220,000 offer is made up of two components, including $200,000 through an uncapped MFN Safe and $20,000 through a Post-Money Convertible Equity Agreement (CEA). The total equity Techstars receives will be 5% of the company in common stock plus the future value of the $200,000 uncapped MFN Safe.
According to Techstars Founder and CEO David Cohen, “Our new offer gives founders more capital, better alignment, and a simpler and more easily comparable structure, enabling them to arrive at their next funding round with greater momentum.”
Cohen added that demand for Techstars accelerator programs has soared with applications tripling since 2021. Through mentorship, capital, and lifetime access to its global network, Techstars enables the next generation of founders to succeed.
Techstars alumni companies have raised over $30 billion and are valued today at more than $120 billion and include 21 unicorns and 118 companies currently valued at over $100 million each.
In 2022, Techstars expanded to key cities in Africa in a move to discover excellent founders and startups with great potential out of Africa. Before the update to match Y Combinator’s $220,000 deal, Techstars invested $20,000 in exchange for 6% common equity, and an optional $100,000 convertible note to bring the total potential funding to $120,000—far less than Y Combinator’s famed $220,000, which includes a $125K standard investment plus a $375K SAFE note on uncapped future rounds.
However, with these new update, things are changing as applications for Techstars Fall 2025 programs at accelerators worldwide here will receive $220,000 from Techstars. This offer includes $200,000 through an uncapped MFN Safe, plus $20,000 through a Post-Money Convertible Equity Agreement (CEA). The total equity Techstars receives will be a minimum of 5%, plus whatever the uncapped MFN Safe converts into.
Techstars’ total investment of $220,000 is made up of two convertible investment agreements and a side letter. One investment is a $20,000 fixed-percentage convertible equity agreement for 5% common stock (on a post-money basis). Another investment is a $200,000 uncapped MFN post-money Safe. The side letter sets out certain rights Techstars needs in the future.
The $20,000 fixed percentage convertible equity agreement (CEA) for 5% common stock. When the company does a priced round of at least $1 million, the CEA will convert into common stock equal to 5% of the company’s equity (including the existing option pool), after all Safes and other convertible instruments have been converted alongside the round. The CEA and Safe are diluted by any new money in the priced round, as well as any option pool increases.
$200,000 uncapped MFN Safe will also convert when the company does a priced round of at least $1 million. It is uncapped, meaning there is no pre-determined valuation cap or limit on the valuation at which it converts. Instead, the Safe will automatically adopt the terms of the lowest cap Safe (or other most favorable terms, such as a discount) issued between the specific MFN start date (around the start of the class) and the priced round. For example, if the company issues a subsequent Safe with a valuation cap or discount (like a 20% discount, or a $8,000,000 valuation cap), then Techstars gets the benefit of such terms.
The only exception is that Techstars accelerator programs in Asia-Pacific offer a $100,000 uncapped MFN Safe.
Telegram has become one of the go-to messaging platforms for privacy-conscious users, developers, and communities of all kinds. Its open API and developer-friendly environment have led to a wide variety of third-party clients—many of which go beyond what the official app offers. While the core Telegram app is feature-rich and widely used, there’s a growing crowd of Android users who turn to alternative clients to unlock unique features, customization, or simply a different experience.
Among these alternatives, Nicegram often pops up early in conversations. Known for its cleaner interface and extended functionality, it has carved out a niche among users who want more control over their messaging experience. But Nicegram is just the tip of the iceberg. The Telegram ecosystem on Android is surprisingly diverse, and each app on this list brings something different to the table.
1. Nicegram
Let’s start with the one that’s quietly gaining a cult following. Nicegram is a Telegram client that emphasizes simplicity without sacrificing features. It allows users to easily access hidden or restricted chats (depending on Telegram’s content settings), and its intuitive interface makes switching between accounts and folders smoother than the official app. While it doesn’t overhaul Telegram entirely, it does tweak just enough to feel noticeably different—especially for power users.
One standout feature? The ability to unlock “sensitive” content that’s often hidden in the regular client, making it popular among those who frequent certain channels that Telegram occasionally restricts by region.
2. Telegram X
This one’s technically semi-official—it was developed by Telegram’s team as an experimental app. Telegram X is built on a different engine (TDLib), which allows for faster animations, smoother scrolling, and improved battery usage. Even though it hasn’t received as much attention recently, Telegram X still feels snappier compared to the regular app.
The interface is minimalistic, which some users prefer, and it also includes some experimental features that may or may not ever make it to the main app. If you like being a step ahead of the curve, Telegram X is worth exploring.
3. Graph Messenger (Telegraph)
Graph Messenger, sometimes known as Telegraph, is for users who want full control over their messaging world. It comes packed with extras like real-time ghost mode (which hides your online status while letting you see others), a built-in download manager, and themes galore.
One notable feature is the ability to schedule messages with precision—including silent messages and ones that auto-delete. It’s essentially Telegram on steroids, perfect for Android users who love toggles, tools, and customization.
4. Plus Messenger
Plus Messenger is the Swiss Army knife of Telegram clients. It offers more tabs, more customization, and more visibility into your chats. You can separate channels, groups, bots, and personal chats into different tabs—which is a game-changer for people in dozens of active conversations.
The level of visual customization is also deep: from chat bubble styles to custom colors and font tweaks. While it may not look dramatically different at first glance, Plus Messenger’s modular structure is ideal for heavy Telegram users who want to stay organized.
5. iMe Messenger
This one combines Telegram’s backbone with built-in tools that lean toward productivity and even a bit of Web3. iMe integrates crypto wallet features, smart chats powered by AI suggestions, and message management that’s slicker than average.
Its main draw is the AI assistant built into the app, which helps summarize messages or generate responses. If you’re someone juggling busy conversations, or you’re interested in the intersection between messaging and tech innovation, iMe delivers something a bit out of the ordinary.
6. Telegram FOSS (Free and Open Source Software)
If you’re deep into open-source software and care about software freedom, Telegram FOSS is your go-to version. It’s a stripped-down, de-Googled fork of Telegram that removes proprietary libraries and trackers.
You won’t find flashy new features here, but it’s clean, fast, and ideal for privacy purists. It’s usually found on F-Droid instead of Google Play, further underscoring its appeal to users who value transparency above all.
Final Thoughts
The beauty of Telegram lies in its open nature. While the official app is solid and reliable, these third-party clients bring a refreshing variety to the messaging experience. Whether you’re after visual customization, media enhancements, advanced privacy controls, or just a change of pace, there’s likely a Telegram client out there that matches your vibe.
Exploring different clients can also help you better understand how Telegram works under the hood—and maybe even discover tools that make your daily communication a little smarter, cleaner, or just more fun. Try a few, find your fit, and enjoy the depth that Telegram’s ecosystem has to offer.
NCBA Bank Kenya PLC has announced a further reduction in its Kenya Shillings Base Lending Rate (NBLR) to 14.34% per annum, down from 15.34% p.a., effective immediately. This move follows the recent downward revision of the Central Bank Rate (CBR) by the Central Bank of Kenya, reflecting NCBA’s commitment to making financial services more accessible and affordable for its customers.
Since August 2024, the NBLR has dropped from 17.50% p.a. to 14.34% p.a., marking a cumulative reduction of 3.20%. During the same period, the CBR has declined by 3.00%, prompting this strategic rate adjustment by NCBA.
Why This Matters
The reduction in the base lending rate is a significant development for borrowers and the wider economy:
Lower Cost of Borrowing: Customers with variable-rate loans will benefit from reduced monthly repayments, easing household and business budgets.
Economic Stimulus: More affordable credit encourages borrowing and investment, helping to spur economic growth.
Customer Relief: In a period marked by economic uncertainty, this move provides much-needed financial relief and flexibility to borrowers.
Positive Market Signal: The rate adjustment reflects broader macroeconomic improvements, including reduced inflationary pressure and accommodative monetary policy.
Sector Competitiveness: By aligning with the market, NCBA strengthens its position as a responsive and customer-focused financial institution.
Impact on Loan Facilities
Fixed Rate Loans: These will remain unaffected by the rate change.
Variable Rate Loans: Interest rates linked to the NBLR will be adjusted effective May 1, 2025.
New Loan Facilities: The revised Base Lending Rate is applicable with immediate effect.
All other terms and conditions of existing loan facilities remain unchanged.
“We are committed to ensuring our customers benefit from favorable market conditions,” said NCBA in a statement. “This adjustment reflects our mission to support financial well-being and enable our clients to thrive.”
Customers seeking more information are encouraged to contact their Relationship Manager, call NCBA on 020-288 4444 / 0711 056 444 / 0732 156 444, email contact@ncbagroup.com, or visit any NCBA branch.
“Insurance is both a safety net and a financial enabler,” said Samuel Odhiambo, Mananging Director NCBA Bancassurance Intermediary Ltd, speaking during the episode of Financial Clinic, hosted by Sally Limo on Family TV. “Insurance goes beyond being a product—it’s a critical cushion against life’s uncertainties, helping individuals and businesses manage financial shocks from risks like illness, accidents, or disasters.”
Odhiambo emphasized that without insurance, families and businesses often face dire financial consequences when unexpected events occur. Insurance transfers risk to an insurer for a fraction of the cost, making it a vital tool for economic stability.
Overall, the session reinforced insurance as essential for both personal and business resilience, and highlighted NCBA’s role in simplifying access to various insurance solutions. Though NCBA recently has its own insurance subsidiary NCBA Insurance Group, NCBA Bancassurance is an insurance intermediary that sells covers on behalf of insurance companies.
“As an intermediary we are not really the risk carrier but we are selling on behalf of insurance companies,” said Odhiambo. “We pretty much deal with a very wide panel of insurers and we have up to 15 insurance companies in our panel now which we carefully select because looking at our customer, I want to make sure that we are only taking you to reputable insurance companies that can pay your claims.”
NCBA Bancassurance deals with 15 insurance companies and within that there’s a very wide spectrum of insurance solutions under three categories. Life Insurance, Medical Insurance and Asset Insurance. In life insurance, there’s also a number of products that are available such as an education policy developed around the needs of parents in its markets.
“Statistics are showing us that a huge number of emergency loans up to 40% of emergency loans are being taken to pay school fees and and medical expenses and 40% is a big number by any standard. Therefore we came up with an education policy unlike traditional intermediaries that would just go to an insurance company and pick a product from the shelf and distribute it to customers what we did was the other way around,” said Odhiambo. “We did it bottom up, we pretty much went to the bottom and built that product up with our customers it’s a product that really resonates with our customers. It’s custom built for our customers.”
Apart from education, homes and business owners make up a much bigger percentage of employers in this country, up to 80% of the employed people are coming from MMEs not the big corporates. MMEs are also driving a huge percentage of our economy, therefore Odhiambo says NCBA Bancassurance has solutions for SMMES and business owners to avoid any form of risk.
“You can be running a logistics company, you have trailers moving from point A to B and therefore apart from getting a motor insurance for your commercial unit we also have goods-in-transit cover which means you get to cover whatever it is you’re transporting from point A to B,” he said adding that its withing the asset class cover and could either cover the vehicle or houses, whether it’s a home, a commercial building or the business itself. NCBA Bancassurance covers fire, theft, fidelity cover from your own employees.
Health is a big need today it’s need driven and incidentally, health insurance is the biggest contributor of premiums in this country as one doesn’t get to choose one way or the other when they would fall sick or need to go to. Within health, there are various covers for an individual, a family, a company or even a small MME.
Health Insurance: A Necessity for All
Health insurance remains one of the most vital types of coverage in Kenya, where medical costs are rising sharply. NCBA’s medical insurance offerings cater to a wide range of customers, from individuals and families to SMEs and corporate clients. The health insurance plans are designed to meet both inpatient and outpatient needs.
NCBA’s approach is personalized, with relationship managers helping clients curate their ideal covers based on medical history, pre-existing conditions, and budget. Medical insurance is also available for companies, enabling employers to provide health benefits to their employees. This is an especially important benefit for SMEs, which often face difficulty in securing affordable and comprehensive medical coverage for their teams.
For those unable to pay premiums upfront, NCBA offers Insurance Premium Financing (IPF), allowing clients to spread their payments over time, making coverage more accessible.
One of the standout features of NCBA’s health insurance is its focus on preventive care. The bank rewards customers for adopting healthy habits, such as regular gym visits and wellness checks, by offering discounts on premiums. This initiative not only encourages healthier lifestyles but also helps reduce the long-term cost of medical care.
Asset Covers Protect What Matters Most
Asset insurance is another vital offering from NCBA Bancassurance, particularly for homeowners, business owners, and vehicle owners. NCBA provides extensive coverage options for homes, commercial buildings, and motor vehicles. For businesses, the bank offers coverage against fire, theft, and even the risk of employee dishonesty through fidelity cover.
For vehicle owners, NCBA provides comprehensive motor insurance that covers not only the vehicle but also damages caused to third-party property, including other vehicles. One customer shared their experience of having their cracked windscreen covered through their motor cover, underscoring the ease and peace of mind that comes with having the right coverage. Claims are processed swiftly, and customers can access multiple payment options, making the process as hassle-free as possible.
Additionally, businesses involved in logistics can benefit from goods-in-transit cover, ensuring that goods being transported are protected from risks such as theft, damage, or accidents during transit. This is a valuable product for business owners who rely on transportation for their daily operations.
The Role of Innovation
According to KPMG, at 3%, Kenya has the third lowest insurance penetration rate in Sub-Saharan Africa with South Africa leading at 17%. This is due to most of Kenya’s population perceiving insurance as a “nice-to-have/easy to discard” product rather than one that is essential. There are 58 insurers and reinsurers in Kenya and general insurance dominates the industry, accounting for 60% of industry gross written premiums.
NCBA, being at the forefront of digital innovation has successfully digitized its insurance products, allowing customers in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, to purchase and manage their policies with just a few clicks. Customers can now get up to five quotes for motor covers, choose the coverage that best suits them, and complete payment through NCBA’s mobile banking application or website. Once payment is made, customers receive their insurance stickers digitally, reducing the need for physical documentation and making the process more efficient.
“If you compare insurance companies where their branches are and where NCBA branches are then you realize we are going much deeper even into the into the rural areas to make sure that financial products are accessible,” he added adding that branches aside anyone can access insurance within a few clicks on their mobile phone or from their account.
Insurance is also embedded into other banking products. For instance, if a customer takes out a loan with NCBA, the bank will offer loan protection insurance as part of the package, ensuring that the borrower and their family are financially protected should anything happen. This integration of banking and insurance has made NCBA’s products more accessible and convenient for customers.
Branch Accessibility
With over 100 branches across Kenya, NCBA Bank Assurance ensures that insurance solutions are available to a broad spectrum of customers, even in rural areas where insurance is often hard to access. This wide network of branches, combined with the bank’s digital services, ensures that even the most underserved communities can benefit from comprehensive insurance coverage.
As a result, NCBA is driving financial inclusion by making insurance more accessible and affordable. The bank has leveraged its extensive branch network to offer insurance consultations at each location, ensuring that customers can speak with a dedicated insurance relationship manager who can help them understand their options and select the coverage that best fits their needs.
Making Insurance Affordable
A major barrier to insurance adoption in Kenya is the perception that it is too expensive. However, NCBA has worked hard to debunk this myth by offering affordable premiums and flexible payment options. Insurance premium financing allows customers to pay smaller amounts over time, making it easier to access the protection they need without financial strain. Moreover, the bank’s digitized approach to insurance reduces operational costs, which in turn lowers premiums for customers.
In 2022, Kenyans spent approximately $5 billion on medical care, with around 22.8% of the population spending out-of-pocket due to a lack of insurance coverage. This highlights the importance of shifting towards more affordable and accessible insurance solutions, like those offered by NCBA. By offering affordable premiums and flexible financing options, NCBA is empowering Kenyans to take control of their financial future without the fear of mounting medical bills or asset loss.
A Vision for the Future: Comprehensive Financial Security for All
At its core, NCBA Bancassurance aims to provide financial security to every Kenyan, regardless of their income level, occupation, or location. The bank’s focus on preventive care, innovation, and accessibility ensures that its customers are not just protected when the unexpected happens but are also empowered to live healthier, more financially secure lives.
From the comprehensive motor insurance products to life-saving health and asset protection plans, NCBA Bank Assurance is setting the standard for what modern insurance should be—affordable, accessible, and tailored to the needs of every individual.
“Insurance it’s about planning, set a goal and make sure that you arrive at your goal. By having a good insurance partner. There’s a lot that can be said about insurance. There are too many misconceptions about insurance people think it’s expensive we have shown you it is cheap it’s a fraction of the of the cost you’d pay from your pocket and we’ve also said you can get a premium financing to take care of you know the upfront cost for insurance,” concluded Odhiambo.
Agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya’s economy—contributing approximately 35% to the GDP and indirectly employing over 60% of the population. Recognizing this, NCBA Bank has placed agriculture at the heart of its financial inclusion and development agenda, providing tailored solutions for players across the entire agricultural value chain.
According to William Muguima, Head of Agriculture in Corporate Banking at NCBA, the bank provides holistic financial solutions across all stages of the agricultural value chain:
Production: Financing for inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, irrigation systems, and machinery.
Processing: Loans for agro-processors including grain millers, fruit canners, packers, and cold chain logistics providers.
Distribution: Asset finance and distributor finance solutions for transporters, storage facility operators, and commodity marketers.
2. Specialized Support for Sub-Sectors
NCBA has segmented its agribusiness offerings into seven key subsectors:
Dairy
Horticulture
Tea
Coffee
Sugar
Industrial Crops
Agroprocessors
Each sub-sector benefits from customized financing packages, addressing its unique operational and capital needs. For example, dairy farmers can access loans for insemination services, agrovets, cooling tanks, and transportation under a one-stop-shop structure.
3. Practical Support for Farmers
Farmers like Krisple Mwiti, a spice farmer, have benefited from:
Asset financing (e.g., vans for transporting produce)
Project loans (e.g., for setting up cold rooms)
Market linkage and advisory services
His experience underlines NCBA Bank’s impact on expanding farm capacity, creating employment (up to 50 workers seasonally), and boosting profitability.
4. Flexible and Inclusive Loan Criteria
NCBA uses the 5 Cs of Credit in assessing applications:
Character: Borrowing history and repayment behavior
Capacity: Cash flow analysis to determine repayment ability
Capital: Strength of the business’s balance sheet
Collateral: Security or guarantor if needed
Conditions: Market and loan-specific terms
Understanding the unique nature of smallholder agribusinesses, NCBA also supports aggregators and outgrowers, extending loans to groups managed by more structured anchor clients.
5. Financial Literacy & Farmer Training
NCBA provides financial literacy training to empower farmers in:
Cash flow and risk management
Budgeting and return on investment
Business planning and sustainability
This training ensures farmers can optimize the funding they receive and reduce business risks.
6. Risk Management Through Insurance
NCBA partners with insurance providers to offer credit insurance to mitigate risks such as:
Crop failure due to drought, pests, or suboptimal rainfall
Market volatility
Storage losses
Farmers are encouraged to diversify crops and regions of operation and plant hardy or drought-resistant varieties to strengthen loan repayment ability.
7. Land & Infrastructure Financing
For farmers looking to expand, NCBA’s Shamba Loans support land acquisition. The bank also finances:
Greenhouses
Boreholes and irrigation systems
Cold rooms and packhouses
8. Fast & Scalable Loan Processing
Asset finance approvals in as little as 48 hours
Other loans processed within 14 days, depending on complexity
NCBA states there is no loan limit, subject to regulatory and balance sheet capacity.
9. Post-Funding Support & Relationship Management
NCBA Bank ensures follow-up and support through:
Farm visits
WhatsApp groups
Dedicated relationship managers
Consultants and agribusiness forums
This personalized follow-up helps farmers scale sustainably and access new funding as they grow.
10. Digital & Technological Integration
NCBA Bank supports tech-driven agriculture, promoting tools like:
Drones for crop monitoring
Digital platforms for market access and export readiness
Online farmer communities for peer learning and advisory
11. Forums, Training, and Market Access
Through industry forums, NCBA connects:
Farmers
Buyers
Processors
Exporters
These platforms empower farmers with access to market information, export guidance, and strategic advice.
Final Word
Whether you’re a smallholder farmer or a large-scale agribusiness, NCBA is ready to walk with you—providing more than just loans. It offers partnership, knowledge, tools, and trust. As Kenya transforms its agricultural landscape, NCBA stands out as a catalyst for sustainable growth and prosperity across the sector.
Visit NCBA’s official website or walk into any branch to learn how to grow your agribusiness today.
Get the whole story Family Media’s Family Matters|Financial Clinic with William Muguima(Sector Head Agriculture, NCBA Corporate Banking),together with Sally Limo (Host) & Krisple Mwiti (Farmer, Director, Greenflow Consultancy).
For many Kenyans, homeownership is a lifelong dream and many work, save, invest and still fail to achieve this dream. But as Phillip Omondi, Head of Property Finance Sales at NCBA, shares on Family Matters | Financial Clinic, turning that dream into reality is not rocket science.
Omondu says homeownership requires more than just desire—it demands preparation, knowledge, and the right financial strategy. There is need for thorough preparation and understanding of the home-buying process before embarking on the journey. According to Omondi, one needs to evaluate their financial health, including income, expenses, and existing debts, to determine affordability of property and also check their creditworthines as it influences mortgage approval and interest rates.
Buyers also need to budget and account for all costs, including down payments, legal fees, stamp duty, and maintenance expenses then go ahead to do a property evaluation i.e due diligence on the property such as it’s location, infrastructure, and ownership status and if there is any legal disputes or loans on its name.
One then needs to look at the various mortgage products available in the market, such as fixed-rate and variable-rate loans, and choose one that aligns with their financial situation. The best step is getting professional guidance from reputable real estate professionals and financial advisors.
“NCBA Bank supports aspiring homeowners by offering tailored mortgage solutions and expert advice to facilitate informed decision-making,” said Phillip Omondi on Family Matters, Financial Clinic by NCBA and Family Media. “Homeownership is not just a dream—but a structured journey that requires clarity, planning, and discipline.”
We have broken the steps down for those who didn’t catch the session on TV.
1. Start With a Financial Self-Assessment
Evaluate your income, expenses, and current debts.
Understand how much house you can realistically afford.
Ensure you have a stable source of income—mortgage repayment is a long-term commitment.
2. Budget Beyond the Purchase Price
Don’t just look at the house price—factor in:
Stamp duty (usually around 4% of the property price)
Legal fees (about 1-2%)
Valuation and processing fees
Maintenance and insurance costs
3. Understand Mortgage Options
NCBA offers a range of mortgage products:
Fixed-rate mortgages – predictable payments
Variable-rate mortgages – fluctuate with market rates
Buy-to-let mortgages – for investment properties
Choose a mortgage plan aligned with your income flow and risk tolerance.
4. Do Due Diligence on the Property
Ensure the land has clear legal titles.
Check zoning regulations, neighborhood amenities, infrastructure, and future developments.
Inspect the actual construction quality, not just the photos or promises.
5. Seek Professional Guidance
Engage a licensed real estate agent, lawyer, and property valuer.
NCBA often works with verified developers and partners like Fanaka Real Estate to simplify the process.
6. Plan for the Long-Term
Think of homeownership as a wealth-building journey.
Avoid emotional decisions; instead, take calculated financial steps.
NCBA’s Role
NCBA not only finances homes but also walks with clients through property selection, mortgage processing, legal documentation and financial literacy and planning. NCBA’s mortgage financing goes beyond financing to ensure a smooth and secure journey to owning a home. To begin your homeownership journey visit ncbagroup.com or check out their collaboration with Family Media on YouTube for more financial literacy content.
Twiga Holdings, the parent company of Kenya’s B2B eCommerce platform, Twiga Foods has entered into agreement with three food distributors Jumra (serving Nairobi and Central regions), Sojpar (serving the Western region), and Raisons (serving the Coastal region) to accelerate its growth and focus on technology tools for distribution.
Jumra, Sojpar, and Raisons will integrate with Twiga’s capabilities to better serve wholesalers, mini-marts, dukas, kiosks, and mama mbogas (green grocers).
According to Twiga CEO Charles Ballard, “This transaction represents a pivotal moment in our journey. It not only concludes our transformation but also inaugurates a new period of sustainable growth, innovation, and unparalleled customer service. With our combined capabilities, we are uniquely positioned to be the partner of choice for suppliers and customers throughout Kenya.”
This deal will see industry veterans Raju Shah and Bijal Shah from Jumra, and Sunil Shah from Sojpar lead operations, ensuring stability and sustained growth while Twiga refocuses its resources on accelerating the development and deployment of technology-driven solutions for the general trade ecosystem.
This strategic alignment underscores Twiga’s commitment to modernizing Kenya’s food distribution landscape, combining these established distributors’ deep market knowledge, operational excellence, and cost-efficient practices with its advanced technology and analytics, brand development resources, best-in-class procurement expertise in fresh fruits and vegetables, and deep insights and reach in Kenya’s informal retail market. The combined strengths will also enable a digitally powered distribution model that delivers enhanced value to Kenyan retailers and consumers.
Twiga will leverage the distributors’ strategically positioned warehouses and large delivery fleets to accelerate Twiga’s cost-efficient national scaling. This will see Twiga resume operations in Kenya’s Western Region, where it previously enjoyed considerable success. Further expansion to other regions is planned in the coming quarters.
Twiga’s strategic focus also places technology-driven innovation at its core. The company continues to invest in its digital platform to provide seamless ordering, inventory management tools, and innovative financing options including buy-now-pay-later solutions.
The distribution partners will also assume some of Twiga’s operational responsibilities in the new collaboration. This will further enhance efficiencies and long-term sustainability of the combined entities, while expanding their distribution lines to unlock new growth opportunities.
Twiga is assembling a high-impact leadership team to deliver on its ambitions. Key members include Mr. Paul Bombo (Technology), Mr. Ankur Agarwal (Supply Chain), Mr. Felix Okumu (Internal Audit), and Ms. Ekua Nkyekyer (Joining Twiga to lead its Finance function). This team brings long-standing experience and a solid understanding of Kenya’s tech and distribution sectors, and is well positioned to support Twiga’s next phase of growth.
Twiga Holdings’ reference shareholders, Creadev and Juven, remain steadfast in their commitment to transforming Africa’s retail ecosystem through technology and market innovation, delivering sustainable value to all stakeholders.
The Chairman of Twiga Holdings, Hein Pretorius said, “We are confident in the combined expertise and dynamic leadership of Charles, Raju, and Sunil. We are particularly delighted to partner with Raju and Sunil, whose deep-rooted, generational knowledge of the Kenyan distribution ecosystem strengthens Twiga’s value proposition. Their complementary strengths will undoubtedly propel the group to become the food distribution champion in the region.”
TikTok has redefined digital storytelling with its short-form videos, viral trends, and dynamic editing features. One of the most popular elements of TikTok content is the use of emojis, which add humor, expression, and engagement to videos. From animated reactions to meme-worthy moments, TikTok emojis play a crucial role in enhancing the storytelling experience.
Recognizing this trend, Wondershare Filmora has integrated cutting-edge AI features to simplify emoji usage in video editing. By leveraging AI-driven tools such as motion tracking, auto beat sync, and intelligent scene recognition, Wondershare Filmora makes it easier than ever for creators to incorporate TikTok emojis into their videos seamlessly.
Why TikTok Emojis Matter in Video Content
TikTok emojis serve multiple purposes beyond just adding fun visuals. They help:
Enhance Emotional Expression: Emojis act as a visual cue, conveying emotions and reactions more effectively than text alone.
Improve Viewer Engagement: Videos with expressive elements, such as emojis, tend to retain viewers’ attention for longer periods.
Increase Shareability: Well-placed emojis make content more relatable and entertaining, encouraging users to share it.
Boost Visual Appeal: Emojis can emphasize specific moments, highlight key points, or add an extra layer of humor and personality to videos.
Wondershare Filmora’s AI-Powered Emoji Features
Wondershare Filmora has introduced several AI-driven tools that enhance the use of TikTok emojis in video editing, making it a go-to solution for content creators looking to add dynamic, engaging elements to their videos.
1. AI Motion Tracking for Emoji Placement
One of the biggest challenges in video editing is keeping emojis aligned with moving objects or people. Wondershare Filmora’s AI motion tracking feature eliminates this hassle by automatically attaching emojis to specific subjects. Whether you want to place a laughing emoji over a friend’s face or add a heart emoji to a moving pet, the AI ensures perfect alignment without requiring manual adjustments.
2. Smart Emoji Suggestions Based on Scene Analysis
Wondershare Filmora’s AI-powered scene recognition feature analyzes the content of a video and suggests relevant emojis. For example:
If a scene features a funny reaction, the AI might recommend the 😂 emoji.
If there’s a romantic moment, ❤️ or 💕 might be suggested.
For high-energy dance sequences, 🔥 or 🎵 could enhance the video’s vibe.
This smart feature saves time and helps creators maintain a consistent theme throughout their videos.
3. Auto Beat Sync for Rhythm-Based Emoji Placement
Music plays a significant role in TikTok videos, and Wondershare Filmora’s AI-driven Auto Beat Sync tool ensures that emojis match the rhythm of the soundtrack. This feature detects beats and automatically aligns emoji animations with the music, making dance challenges, lip-sync videos, and meme edits more visually appealing.
4. AI-Powered Auto Cut for Emoji Transitions
TikTok videos often feature quick transitions and jump cuts. Wondershare Filmora’s AI-powered auto cut tool helps creators trim unnecessary footage while ensuring smooth transitions between emoji effects. This feature is particularly useful for reaction videos, meme compilations, and comedic edits where emojis enhance the storytelling.
This tool adds an extra layer of expressiveness to videos, making them more appealing to TikTok audiences.
How Filmora’s AI Features Benefit TikTok Creators
For TikTok creators, time and creativity are essential. Wondershare Filmora’s AI-powered emoji tools offer several benefits:
Faster Editing: Automating emoji placement and motion tracking speeds up the editing process.
More Engaging Content: AI-driven suggestions help creators use emojis in creative and impactful ways.
Higher-Quality Videos: Advanced tracking and synchronization tools ensure that emojis blend naturally into the video.
Effortless Storytelling: AI-powered scene recognition helps creators add emojis that enhance the narrative flow of their content.
Tips for Using TikTok Emojis Creatively in Filmora
To make the most of Wondershare Filmora’s AI features, here are some creative tips for using TikTok emojis effectively:
Match Emojis with Facial Expressions: Use AI motion tracking to place expressive emojis over faces for a humorous effect.
Use Animated Emojis for Extra Impact: Add animated effects to emojis to make them pop during key moments.
Sync Emojis with Sound Effects: Align emojis with sound effects like applause, laughter, or drumrolls for added emphasis.
Experiment with Emoji Transitions: Use Filmora’s transition effects to make emojis appear dynamically rather than just overlaying them statically.
Combine Emojis with Stickers and Effects: Layer emojis with other visual elements to create unique video compositions.
The Future of AI in Video Editing: What’s Next for Filmora?
As AI technology advances, Wondershare Filmora is expected to introduce even more groundbreaking features that further enhance emoji integration in videos. Some potential future developments include:
AI-Generated Emoji Reactions: Automatically generating emoji overlays based on facial expressions detected in the video.
Real-Time Emoji Suggestions: Predictive AI suggesting emojis as users record their content.
Advanced 3D Emoji Effects: Introducing depth and movement to emojis for a more immersive experience.
Customizable AI Emojis: Allowing users to create their own animated emojis that react dynamically to their video content.
Conclusion
Wondershare Filmora has transformed the way TikTok creators edit videos by integrating AI-powered emoji features that simplify and enhance the editing process. Whether through motion tracking, beat sync, or intelligent scene recognition, Wondershare Filmora enables users to create visually engaging and expressive content effortlessly. As AI technology continues to evolve, Wondershare Filmora remains at the forefront of innovation, helping creators bring their TikTok videos to life with dynamic and engaging emoji effects.
SureChill Africa Limited, once a rising star in sustainable cooling solutions for off-grid and healthcare applications, has entered administration—despite raising a total of over $9 million in funding. The announcement underscores the difficult operating environment for climate-tech startups in emerging markets.
SureChill developed a unique cooling technology that leverages the thermal properties of water to maintain refrigeration without the need for constant electricity. This breakthrough was particularly impactful in remote healthcare settings, enabling reliable vaccine storage in areas with unstable power supply.
In 2019, the company secured £4 million (approx. $5 million) in Series A funding from Africa-focused VC Novastar Ventures and UK-based The Garage Soho, fueling expansion efforts across the continent and laying the groundwork for mass deployment in both the healthcare and domestic sectors.
By 2024, SureChill also received an additional $2 million investment from social impact investor Oikocredit, supporting the rollout of its cooling solutions to underserved off-grid communities.
As part of its mission to improve global health outcomes, the company was also awarded $1.4 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, contributing to efforts aimed at eliminating preventable diseases through reliable vaccine refrigeration in resource-constrained regions.
Impact Across Africa
With operations in over 70 countries, SureChill deployed 22,000 vaccine refrigerators, contributing to over 90 million safe vaccinations. It established regional distribution hubs in Kenya, Senegal, and Nigeria, expanding its logistical capabilities and improving service delivery.
Beyond healthcare, the company moved into solar-powered home refrigeration, targeting families and small businesses in off-grid regions. These products were lauded for their energy efficiency and role in improving food preservation and microenterprise operations.
Financial Downturn and Administration
Despite strong early momentum, SureChill’s financial stability began to unravel. In March 2025, an official notice announced the appointment of an administrator, signaling the company’s inability to meet its financial obligations.
While the exact cause of SureChill’s collapse remains unclear, the move into administration highlights the vulnerabilities even well-funded tech startups face when scaling operations in complex markets.
Lessons for the Climate-Tech Sector
SureChill’s experience is a stark reminder that technological innovation alone is not sufficient to guarantee success. Startups in the climate-tech space must navigate not only capital-intensive R&D but also logistical challenges, customer acquisition hurdles, and volatile regulatory environments.
As Africa continues to seek sustainable solutions for its energy and healthcare gaps, SureChill’s journey offers critical insights for investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers alike. Supporting such ventures with not just capital, but operational resilience, business model adaptation, and ecosystem support, may be key to their long-term success.
Sun King, the off-grid solar pay-as-you-go company is set to venture into the smartphone business, in a bold move to expand its portfolio beyond solar home systems.
The company, known for revolutionizing energy access across Africa through its pay-as-you-go solar products, plans to launch its own line of smartphones—offered through the same financing model that helped it dominate the solar space.
According to sources close to the company, the new smartphones will be tailored for African markets, especially rural and peri-urban areas where affordability and access remain major barriers to smartphone penetration. The phones will be available via Sun King’s vast last-mile distribution network and sold using flexible payment plans, enabling customers to pay in small daily or weekly installments using mobile money.
“This move isn’t just about selling phones. It’s about digital inclusion,” a Sun King insider told TechMoran. “We’re bringing the power of the internet, apps, education, and financial tools right into people’s hands.”
Optimized for the Realities of Off-Grid Living
Sun King’s smartphones will reportedly be optimized for long battery life, with versions expected to ship with energy-efficient features and pre-installed offline content such as agricultural tutorials, healthcare information, and financial literacy guides. This approach reflects the company’s deep understanding of its core audience—customers who often live in areas with unstable power supply and limited access to mobile data.
The devices are also expected to come with Sun King Pay, an embedded app that allows users to track their loan repayment schedules, earn loyalty rewards, and access other value-added services from Sun King’s ecosystem.
Why This Matters
Africa remains one of the fastest-growing mobile markets in the world, but smartphone penetration still lags behind, especially in rural communities where the upfront cost of a device is prohibitive. While smartphone adoption is rising, millions remain digitally disconnected—not because of lack of interest, but because of affordability.
Sun King’s entry into the smartphone market could change that. With over 100 million people already benefiting from its solar solutions, including Sun King solar TV sets, the company has the infrastructure, trust, and reach to scale its smartphone project rapidly.
A Natural Evolution for Sun King?
Industry experts say the move makes strategic sense.
“Sun King is already in people’s homes, providing light and energy,” said a Nairobi-based fintech analyst. “The next logical step is to provide digital tools that unlock access to education, banking, and commerce. A smartphone is the gateway to all that.”
Sun King will join a growing number of African tech players offering asset-financed smartphones, such as Safaricom with Lipa Mdogo Mdogo and M-KOPA with its smartphone financing plans. However, Sun King’s edge lies in its deep rural footprint and experience in scaling hardware-as-a-service models.
What’s Next?
Though an official launch date has not been confirmed, insiders suggest a mid-2025 rollout, starting in Kenya and expanding to Nigeria, Uganda, and other key markets shortly after. The company is also rumored to be in talks with OEM partners in Asia for manufacturing, while software localization will be handled regionally.
Sun King’s smartphone strategy aligns with the broader trend of energy-tech companies diversifying into fintech and consumer tech, leveraging their reach and trust to offer more than just power.
As Sun King lights up homes, it may soon also light up screens—offering not just power to see, but power to connect.
In May 2023, the firm secured a scalable loan instrument, arranged and structured by Citi with participation from leading development finance institutions and commercial lenders, helps expand Kenyans’ access to finance to purchase green, affordable solar systems.
The Kenyan-Shilling-denominated $130 million sustainable securitisation transaction was to help Sun King expand locally and allow for more customers to buy solar products on credit as approximately three out of every ten Kenyans live without access to electricity. Many off-grid households devote 5 to 10% of their income to dim, smoky kerosene lanterns or smog-emitting gas generators for light and power. Solar energy offers clean and reliable energy as well as long-term cost savings for homes and businesses, but the upfront equipment cost blocks many Kenyan consumers from transitioning to solar energy.
Sun King designs, distributes, installs and finances solar energy solutions for African and Asian households and businesses who cannot access, rely on or afford traditional electric grid connections. Sun King customers can purchase products using the company’s technology-enabled, pay-as-you-go “Easy Buy” financing service, which breaks payments down into regular, affordable instalments. These payments can be made via mobile money or cash for as little as $0.15 a day. Approximately half of Sun King’s registered pay-as-you-go customers in Kenya are women, the majority of whom access formal financing products for the first time.
Under the securitisation structure, investors are financing the pooled expected future payments from over a million Sun King customers. The structure connects unbanked or underbanked customers to the finance they require to purchase solar assets and provides investors with access to a steady yet underserved market that offers risk-diversified returns.
“Over one billion people live off the reliable electric grid. This number is projected to rise. This securitisation could be key to unlocking the extensive capital needed to fund solar energy initiatives at the scale the climate crisis requires. We applaud Citi for orchestrating this innovative transaction. These trailblazing financial mechanisms can convert the global challenges of energy access, social development and climate action into compelling investment opportunities.” Commented Sun King’s Co-Founder, Anish Thakkar.
Sun King is raising the securitisation funds using its Sustainable Financing Framework, which has received a Second Party Opinion (SPO) from Moody’s Investor Relations. The SPO assesses the framework with a Very Good Sustainable Quality Score (SQS) and highlights its significant contribution to sustainability.
The framework, facilitated by Citi, involved participations by both commercial and development finance institutions, including ABSA Kenya, British International Investment, Citi, FMO, Norfund, Standard Bank Kenya and the Trade and Development Bank.
In October last year, Sun King launched PowerPlay Pro, a solar power station capable of powering everything from phones and televisions to laptops, freezers, and light business equipment promising users its cheaper than running a generator.
In February this year, Sun King launched the HomePlus and HomePlus Pro, its third-generation solar home systems designed for off-grid and budget-conscious households and businesses, these systems offer multi-room lighting and phone charging. The new range delivers more power, brighter lighting, and faster phone charging than Sun King’s popular legacy models, the Home 40 Plus and Home 200X, while maintaining the same affordable price point.
AXIAN Telecom has received $100 million investment from EIB Global for mobile broadband network expansion in Madagascar and Tanzania through the European Union Global Gateway strategy which aims to double 4G coverage in both Madagascar and Tanzania; and will continue the roll-out of 5G sites.
The $ 100 million from European Investment Bank (EIB Global) to AXIAN Telecom will support the expansion of its mobile broadband network infrastructure across Madagascar and Tanzania and expand 4G mobile broadband network infrastructure across the two countries as well as continuing the introduction of 5G coverage.
According to AXIAN Telecom’s CEO, Mr Hassan Jaber, “The US$ 100 million EIB Global financing will help us expand mobile phone infrastructure in Madagascar and Tanzania and benefit millions of people. This new large-scale network investment will pave the way for socio-economic growth, digital inclusion, and better opportunities.”
This investment will enhance access to high-speed communications, accelerate inclusive digitalisation, and drive sustainable development across the two countries. This investment will help reduce geographic inequality of telecom access in Africa and emerging markets.
AXIAN Telecom currently serves over 44 million subscribers and is present in nine Sub-Saharan African countries with its key mobile and fixed operations being in Tanzania, Madagascar, Senegal, Togo and Comoros.
US$ 60 million of the financing will benefit Tanzania and US$ 40 million will go to Madagascar. AXIAN Telecom operates under the Yas brand in both countries.
“Digital connectivity opens doors for education, business, healthcare and social inclusion,” stated European Investment Bank Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. “This new investment demonstrates the EIB’s commitment to empowering communities, fostering sustainable development, and driving positive change through enhanced access to affordable high-speed communications.”
Improved connectivity plays a pivotal role in advancing socio-economic development, and this investment under the European Union Global Gateway Strategy aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By expanding a resilient and energy efficient mobile broadband infrastructure, the new EIB Global investment will unlock numerous SDG benefits, including sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, leading to the creation of quality jobs. Fragile communities will gain access to the tools and resources necessary to connect with the wider world, fostering knowledge sharing, e-commerce, and innovation.
Though AXIAN Telecom is operating in a highly competitive market, the burgeoning youth population across countries of operation is expected to accelerate growth of demand for mobile communications and digital services.
Access Bank has acquired 100 percent of National Bank of Kenya from KCB Group after approval by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) on April 4, 2025.
The acquisition of 100 percent of the shareholding of National Bank of Kenya Limited (NBK) by Access Bank PLC (Access) from KCB Group PLC (KCB Group) follows CBK’s approval under Section 13 (4) of the Banking Act, and approval by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning on April 10, 2025, pursuant to Section 9 of the Banking Act.
According to KCB Group CEO Paul Russo during the initial transaction last year, “This transaction represents what we believe is a great opportunity to maximize value for our shareholders while strengthening the competitive position for the Group. The past four years have been defining for NBK as a KCB Group subsidiary and this step marks the opening of new opportunities.”
KCB — Kenya’s biggest bank — bought the National Bank of Kenya in 2019 and at 1.25 times book value though the deal was not disclosed.
Access Bank in 2020 acquired Kenya’s Transnational Bank as it was eyeing growth in the East African market. As part of the transaction, CBK, on April 4, 2025, further approved the transfer of certain assets and liabilities of National Bank of Kenya Limited to KCB Bank Kenya Limited pursuant to Section 9 of the Banking Act. Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary for The National Treasury and Economic Planning approved the transfer on April 10, 2025, pursuant to Section 9 of the Banking Act.
The acquisition and transfer shall take effect upon completion of the transaction in accordance with the terms of the Agreement between the parties.
